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Available jobs climbs 8.2%, tourism up, sugar production increases

By Reginald Chandar

SUVA, Fiji (Fijilive, Nov. 30, 2013) – The number of jobs available to those in Fiji's labour market has increased by 8.2 per cent.

According to the Reserve Bank of Fiji’s October Job Advertisement Survey, more positions became vacant in wholesale & retail trade, tourism, community, social & personal services and the construction sectors.

Domestically, performances across key sectors of the economy have been broadly positive in the review period.

Cumulative to October, electricity production registered an annual growth of 5.2 percent while sugar production was 16.2 percent higher this season.

Similarly, short-term visitor arrivals from Australia and New Zealand, cumulative to September, rose by 0.2 percent and 4.5 percent respectively.

Gold production in the year to October registered an annual decline of 11.6 percent, although it improved...

New development organization based in Fiji welcomes support

SUVA, Fiji (Fijilive, Nov. 30, 2013) – Timor Leste has given close to half a million to assist in the establishment and operation of the organisation of the Pacific Island Development Forum (PIDF).

Acknowledging the donation of US$250,000 which is equivalent to FJ$467,551.90, Fiji’s Minister for Foreign Affairs & International Cooperation Ratu Inoke Kubuabola said the support will go a long way in helping the PIDF provide the people of the pacific "with the services that has been sorely lacking in the Pacific at present." "The Pacific has never had a space [until now] where their public sector, private sector or civil society representatives can meet freely and discuss openly issues of development that are relevant and important to them," Ratu Inoke said.

He said the assistance from the government and people of Timor Leste was further sign of the deepening relations the country has with the people...

Overseas minister addresses assembly, doesn’t support decolonization process

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (Radio New Zealand International, Dec. 1, 2013) – France has restated its authority over French Polynesia.

In a formal address to French Polynesia’s territorial assembly, the overseas territories minister, Victorin Lurel, says his message is clear that France is back.

Mr Lurel says France refuses to buy into the decolonisation process approved by the United Nations in May, saying Paris is guided by the outcome of this year’s territorial election which was won by the anti-independence camp.

He has also dismissed an assembly resolution passed in May, which formally called for an immediate independence referendum, saying it provides no solution to the territory’s problems.

The opposition boycotted Mr Lurel’s speech, claiming the territory is run by the mafia - a reference to the jail sentences for corruption given to the territory’s president, Gaston...

Tonga’s Deputy Speaker Will Face Firearms Charges Next Year Judge dismisses motion to quash indictment of Lord Tu’iha’ateiho

NUKU'ALOFA, Tonga (Matangi Tonga, Nov. 29, 2013) – The Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Tonga Lord Tu’iha’ateiho pleaded not guilty today to one count of possession of a firearm without a license regarding a .22 semi-automatic pistol.

Lord Tu’iha’ateiho elected to be tried by judge alone. The tentative dates of November 24-28, 2014 were confirmed for trial. A pre-trial conference was set for November 17, 2014.

The case was called before Mr Justice Charles Cato at the Nuku'alofa Supreme Court who dismissed an application by the defence to quash the indictment on the basis of abuse of process.

Argument

The judge made his ruling after hearing legal submissions regarding the motion by the defence represented by Kahungunu Afeaki SC, that the criminal summon in the Magistrate’s Court charged the accused with...