Articles Search

FIJI’S AIR PACIFIC TO CONTINUE KIRIBATI SERVICE Competition heats up with Nauru-Marshall Islands air agreement

SUVA, Fiji (Fijilive, Feb. 28, 2008) - Fiji’s international airline, Air Pacific says it would continue its bi-weekly flights to Tarawa despite Nauru and the Marshall Islands signing an air service agreement that is part of an effort to resume flights to Fiji by Nauru’s Our Airline.

Air Pacific’s Managing Director John Campbell says he has noted the Nauru and Marshall Islands aviation agreement and their ambition to commence operations to Fiji.

"If the services commence, it will result in seat capacity between Tarawa and Nadi in excess of market demand," he pointed out. However, he says the airline would continue with its services to Tarawa on a bi-weekly basis.

Campbell also pointed out that the route would be economically challenged as it can be expected to grow slowly.

The passenger loads to and from Tarawa fill 50 percent of the seats...

Also looking at an ethanol plant and hotel in Mamanucas

SUVA, Fiji (Fijilive, Feb. 28, 2008) - A Chinese investor group has come up with a cheaper and faster way to construct low cost housing in Fiji.

The 10-member delegation, led by Fiji’s ambassador to China, Sir James Ah Koy made a presentation this week on how this could be done to the Housing Authority of Fiji (which is in the business of developing and producing affordable lots and houses.)

According to the group, the houses would be constructed using cement boards made from recycled materials such as saw dust and coconut shells among other things.

James said this is a new technology and the materials could be supplied locally or imported from China and all it takes to assemble a house is just three days. The house cost would range anywhere from FJ$31,000 to FJ$40,000 [US$20,00 to US$ 26,000] for a one to two bedrooms, compared to FJ$60,000 [US$40,000] made by local companies, he claimed.

"...

Indian government provides NZ$150,000 grant

By Helen Greig

RAROTONGA, Cook Islands (Cook Islands News, Feb. 22, 2008) – The High Commissioner of India Prabhakara Jha presented his credentials to Queen's representative Sir Frederick Goodwin at government house yesterday.

His five-day visit coincides with the 10th year of Cook Islands diplomatic relations with India.

Jha is based in Suva and is accredited to Fiji, Tuvalu and Tonga as well.

Members of the local Indian and Fijian communities were present for the ceremony. Just a handful of Indians reside in Rarotonga.

Jha took over the diplomatic post late last year from former high commissioner to Fiji Ajay Singh who paid a similar visit to Rarotonga in March of 2006.

Jha says it is his first visit to the Cooks and he looks forward to returning soon.

He says he has a lot of dreams of ways to strengthen bilateral relations with the Cooks. While there is support for regional forum...