Issue 2

Welcome to Issue 2, 2026 of Pacific Business Review, an edition that captures a region advancing with renewed confidence—where reform, investment, connectivity and sectoral resilience are shaping the next phase of Pacific growth.

We lead with Fiji’s kava sector, where export growth is accelerating on the back of regulatory reforms and expanded market access. As global demand rises, the industry is undergoing a structural shift—from traditional production toward a more organised, export-oriented value chain—positioning kava as a key agricultural growth story for the Pacific.

Infrastructure takes centre stage in Solomon Islands, where Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele has launched a national investment pipeline exceeding SBD$19 billion. More than a list of projects, the plan signals a coordinated push to unlock financing, strengthen connectivity and lay the groundwork for long-term economic expansion.

In Vanuatu, efforts to deepen long-term engagement with Hong Kong point to a strategic shift toward institutional partnerships and capital alignment. As Pacific economies seek to diversify funding sources and strengthen financial linkages, such relationships highlight the growing importance of cross-border collaboration in driving investment and economic integration.

Meanwhile, in Papua New Guinea, the arrival of new ATR aircraft underscores continued investment in aviation capacity and reliability. In a region defined by geography, aviation remains a critical enabler of trade, tourism and essential services—making fleet modernisation a key pillar of national and regional connectivity strategies.

Beyond the cover, this issue explores a wide spectrum of developments—from policy reforms and investment frameworks to sector-specific progress across mining, energy, finance and agriculture. Together, these stories highlight a Pacific region that is not standing still, but actively recalibrating—aligning policy with opportunity, strengthening institutions and positioning itself within an evolving global economic landscape.

Thank you for reading.