Economic growth in Fiji, the Pacific’s second-largest economy, is expected to soften in the medium term as visitor arrivals slow, pre-election uncertainty increases, and external conditions deteriorate, according to a new Asian Development Bank (ADB) report. ADB’s flagship economic publication, Asian Development Outlook (ADO) April 2026, forecasts Fiji...

Leaders from across Tuvalu convened on April 9–10 for the mid-term review summit of Te Kete, the country’s National Strategy for Sustainable Development 2021–2030, assessing progress and setting priorities for the remainder of the decade. The summit brought together representatives from outer islands, women and youth groups, civil society organisations...

New Caledonia is moving forward with plans to develop a pumped storage hydroelectric facility at Tontouta, a project aimed at strengthening energy security, supporting renewable integration and reducing reliance on imported fuels. Government member Christopher Gygès and Jean-Gabriel Faget, chief executive of Enercal, said the project marks a significan...

Tonga has launched its first Women in Aviation network, marking a milestone for gender inclusion in the country’s aviation sector and across the wider Blue Pacific region. The initiative was officially unveiled by Infrastructure Minister Semisi Sika, who said the network underscores the government’s commitment to advancing women’s leadership and aligni...

The Fiji Development Bank is refining its lending strategy, placing greater emphasis on financing projects that deliver measurable economic impact across key sectors. Recent activity highlights a shift toward more targeted lending, with the bank assessing new financing proposals linked to business expansion and productive investments, according to an u...

Fiji has stepped up its digital transformation drive with the launch of a new tax administration platform, developed with support from Australia to improve compliance and ease of doing business. The upgraded system, rolled out by the Fiji Revenue and Customs Service in Suva in late March, introduces enhanced self-service features, a more intuitive inte...

Economic growth in the Pacific is projected to moderate to 3.4% in 2026 and 3.2% in 2027, according to the Asian Development Outlook (ADO) April 2026, the Asian Development Bank's (ADB) flagship economic publication. “There is an unprecedented need for the Pacific to build resilience against the economic impacts of the Middle East conflict,” said ADB D...

The Commonwealth Digital Roadshow made its inaugural stop in Vanuatu from March 23 to 27, bringing together policymakers, businesses and communities in a coordinated push to accelerate digital transformation and expand access to emerging technologies. Led by the Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation in partnership with the Vanuatu government’s D...

The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development (MALD) has received 142 expressions of interest (EOIs) under its 2026 call for proposals for two flagship initiatives aimed at strengthening domestic food production and reducing reliance on imports. The EOIs cover the Commercial Rice Development Programme (CRDP) and the Poultry Production Strengthe...

Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has officiated the external review of the preliminary design for the China-aided Vanua Levu Road Upgrading Project, marking a significant step forward in a flagship infrastructure programme aimed at improving connectivity, resilience and economic development in Fiji’s Northern Division. Speaking at the Grand Pacific Hotel...

Lion One Metals Limited has outlined progress and ongoing operational challenges at its Tuvatu gold mine in Fiji, as the company moves into a new phase focused on stabilising production and improving performance. In its March 2026 operational update, the company said it is transitioning into what it described as “Phase 2”, following the successful comm...

Jeremiah Manele has convened senior executives of key state-owned enterprises to accelerate progress on the Auki Road Project, warning that delays could leave the Solomon Islands government bearing full completion costs. At a meeting held on Thursday, Manele brought together chairpersons, chief executives and senior management from major SOEs, includin...

Claude Gambey, New Caledonia’s government member in charge of health, joined global leaders and scientists at the One Health Summit held from 5 to 7 April in Lyon, reinforcing the territory’s commitment to integrated approaches linking human, animal and environmental health. The summit convened policymakers, researchers, international organisations and...

Construction of the Aviation Complex Building at Henderson has reached a key milestone, as the Ministry of Communication and Aviation progresses works under the World Bank-funded Second Solomon Islands Roads and Aviation Project (SIRAP 2). The project has completed first-floor slab and beam concrete works, marking a significant step in the development ...

The Solomon Islands government has taken a significant step towards strengthening ocean conservation and management, formally convening the Ocean12 Technical Working Group to drive a five-year integrated initiative supported by the Bezos Earth Fund. The working group, led by the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorolo...

Jeremiah Manele has outlined a pipeline of road and bridge projects for Malaita Province, as the government moves to scale up infrastructure delivery under the Second Solomon Islands Roads and Aviation Project. Speaking at the handover of the Su’u and Bira bridges, Manele said additional financing of about $41 million from the World Bank is being secur...

Master planning has emerged as a central tool in addressing climate vulnerability and rapid urbanisation challenges across Pacific cities, according to discussions at the Seventh Pacific Urban Forum in Papua New Guinea. Delegates at the forum highlighted how Pacific urban centres are increasingly exposed to overlapping risks, including cyclones, floodi...

The Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat and the World Bank are accelerating efforts to stabilise correspondent banking relationships (CBRs) across the Pacific, as a multi-year regional project begins to deliver early results amid persistent global financial pressures. The initiative—formally approved in August 2024 and operational since April 2025—marks ...

Westpac is making a significant investment in strengthening leadership capability across its Pacific businesses with the rollout of its best-in-class LEAD program in Papua New Guinea and Fiji this year, delivering training to 120 employees across the two markets. LEAD is Westpac Group’s flagship leadership development program focused on building future...

Step into one of the Pacific’s fastest-growing trade corridors between New Zealand and Fiji from June 15–18, as this business mission offers a unique opportunity to get ahead of the curve—build relationships, unlock opportunities, and grow your presence. With a shared goal of NZ$2 billion in trade by 2030, the initiative positions participants at the fore...

The Government for National Unity and Transformation is reporting renewed momentum in the tourism sector, with four new hotels and accommodation facilities opening in the first quarter of 2026, signalling increased investor confidence and sectoral growth. The new developments include Zaru Hotel in Gizo, Western Province; Double Island Resort and Raider...

The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development is advancing a series of initiatives aimed at transforming the agriculture sector and supporting economic growth in the Solomon Islands. Permanent Secretary Samson Viulu said during a quarterly ministerial update this week that the ministry is implementing key projects and reforms to strengthen agri...

Sandvik has received five AutoMine® orders from Byrnecut, the world’s largest underground mining contractor. The orders, all of which include AutoMine® Multi-Lite systems, were booked in Q1 2026 for the Gwalia, Ulysses, Youanmi and Gossan Valley mine sites in Australia, as well as the Navachab mine in Namibia. With these latest orders, the majority of Byr...

Fiji’s kava industry has transformed into the country’s top agricultural export over the past 15 years, with export earnings exceeding FJD53 million and supporting more than 14,500 farming households. The shift from subsistence production to a commercialised export sector has been driven by rising demand in key markets including Australia, New Zealand ...