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SUVA. Fiji (Fiji Times, Oct. 31) – The Fiji Chamber of Commerce and Industry says Fiji should buy fuel from Papua New Guinea and not import from Australia and Singapore.

Chamber president Taito Waradi said it was an option that should be considered if the price of goods was to be controlled.

He was reacting to a surge in the price of cooking gas and freight cost as a result of soaring fuel prices.

Businesses have warned it will pass additional costs on to customers if fuel prices do not come down.

"We are a member of the Melanesian Spearhead Group and can help each other. I don't know what the leaders discussed at the forum but it is something we can explore," Mr Waradi said. "PNG is the only country that has oil export to cater for our needs. They also have an oil refinery and can supply our needs. We should show the world that no matter how small we are, we are capable of coming up with initiatives to sustain ourselves."

He said another option...

PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea (PNG Post-Courier, Oct. 31) – Villagers in the Bamu and Gama River delta of Papua New Guinea’s Western Province are in dire need of food and medical supplies after high tides brought in knee-deep mud and debris, destroying their staple food of sago (palm) and has also swept away their chickens and ducks.

[PIR editor’s note: Western Province is a coastal province in southwestern Papua New Guinea; Daru island is the provincial capital.]

"They have got to be the poorest people in my view in PNG at the moment," said Dr. Morris Wainetti from the United Church Health Services in Daru.

He reported last Thursday that the people in the area, close to the Western and Gulf boarders, needed all the help they could get and not just that of the government.

The people need clothing, mosquito nets, cooking utensils as well as medical supplies, Dr. Wainetti said. He also appealed to the Western Governor and Middle Fly Member of Parliament...

NUKUALOFA, Tonga (Matangi Tonga, Oct. 31) – Despite heavy rainfall over Tongatapu this morning, King Taufa’ahau Tupou IV was present at Fua’amotu International Airport to welcome the arrival of both Pacific Blue on its first inaugural flight and Air New Zealand’s new Airbus A320 aircraft.

Tony Marks, Pacific Blue’s Chief Executive Officer and Tony Wheelens, Aviation Relations Manager, who were on board the inaugural flight, had an audience with the king at the Royal VIP lounge.

Marks told guests that this was a special day for aviation tourism in Tonga and a major step in the expansion of Pacific Blue’s service in the Pacific.

On October 30 they had their first inaugural flight to Samoa, and tomorrow November 1 will be their inaugural flight to Rarotonga.

"Pacific Blue not only offers a unique service and a brand new aircraft but it also offers the strong commitment of our staff which is the most important", he said.

The Deputy Prime Minister, Hon...

HONIARA, Solomon Islands (Solomon Star, Oct. 31) – Pacific Islands Forum country members may in the future trade with countries of Melanesia under a new trade agreement signed last week.

The revised Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) trade agreement was signed by the prime ministers of Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Fiji and Vanuatu at the end of the Pacific Islands Forum meeting in Madang last week.

MSG chairman and Prime Minister of PNG Sir Michael Somare says the signing is an achievement for all MSG countries.

"The agreement provides for the extension of membership to include other forum members, and if this does happen, this will be beneficial to the sub-region and the South Pacific region as a whole," he said. "Unlike the other trade agreements with the region, there is real trade between member countries under this agreement. The revised agreement would bring about increased trade volume and cooperation in commercial activities between member countries...