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Team to look at possible infrastructure projects in January

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (Radio New Zealand International, Dec. 31, 2013) – The French Polynesian presidency says a team of 10 Chinese engineers is expected in January to assess possible projects.

It says this follows talks in Beijing with the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation, which is a major Chinese company that recently had preliminary talks in Papeete.

The company's director general, Liu Zhiming, says it has secured backing from banks in China allowing for the dispatch of engineers to assess the infrastructure projects under discussion.

They include a revamp of the Tahiti airport and the construction of an express road from Papeete to Taravao.

French Polynesia's president, Gaston Flosse, says office space will be made available for the Chinese team which can stay as long as needed.

Sheraton management and workers reach agreement

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (Radio New Zealand International, Dec. 31, 2013) – Employees of the three Sheraton hotels in Nadi in Fiji who walked off their jobs this morning have returned to work.

An agreement was reached between the employees and the hotel's management to resolve their grievances within 14 days.

FBC reports that all staff who had boycotted work this morning have been told to report to work as soon as possible.

This is after a negotiated settlement between the landowning unit and the management who me with the Tui Nadi this morning.

But the landowning unit says if their demands are not met within the 14 day time-frame, they will boycott work again.

Completed parkway hoped to increase commerce for airport

By Michelle Conerly

HAGÅTÑA, Guam (Pacific Daily News, Jan. 1, 2014) – Blocks of concrete fell to the ground with a loud bang as the crusher attachment of the track excavator smashed into a second floor window, shattering the glass and ripping out the frame.

"It's out with the old and in with the new," said Edward Untalan, chairman of the Guam International Airport Authority (GIAA) board of directors.

The GIAA yesterday held a short demolition event at the former Guam Police Department headquarters to "(clear) the way for the Tiyan Parkway."

The demolition of the premises will be split into two phases, the first being to raze the GPD buildings and seven slabs, which would take about 120 days.

The second phase includes the clearing of the Kunkle Building and Yellow Cargo Building, which would take about 90 days, according to the governor's office.

Both phases are estimated to...

Togiola Tulafono acknowledges issues with foreign competition

PAGO PAGO, American Samoa (The Samoa News, Dec. 30, 2013) – Former American Samoa Gov. Togiola T.A. Tulafono has come out to lend a helping hand to the current plight faced by the Tautai o Samoa Longline & Fishing Association, whose boat owners have moved to tie up their fleet and put their vessels up for sale, as they face hardship with a number of issues, and say not much government support is in sight.

In response to the longline fleet’s problems, which they say didn’t occur overnight and have been well known, Togiola wrote to Tautai o Samoa president Mrs. Rasela Feliciano offering his support and a helping hand. The former governor, who during his tenure has come into contact with wide range of people in the fishing and cannery industry, sought a meeting with association members.

"I understand only too well the dilemma you are facing today, and I want to offer my help to your association if I...