Pacific news in brief for April 22

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is a regional development organization in Asia committed to reducing poverty in Asia and the Pacific.
Photo: AFP/Jay Directo

Papua New Guinea – economy

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) says Papua New Guinea’s economy is expected to improve in 2024 and 2025.

This is evident from the Asian Development Outlook published this month.

According to the report, PNG’s economy is expected to grow by 3.3 percent this year due to the resumption of production at the Porgera gold mine.

ADB country director for PNG Said Zaidansyah said the medium-term outlook for the economy remained positive but challenges loomed.

Currency restrictions and frequent power outages continue to dampen activity in the rest of the economy.

The report states that improvements need to be made to the financial sustainability of the energy sector through greater use of renewable energy.

It also suggested that private sector investment is needed to address energy supply constraints on growth, and the Bank’s financing plan will include support for this.

Samoa – food

The Samoan Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries has decided to start using locally sourced ingredients at events, ahead of the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting.

The Samoan Observer reported that the move is an effort to support local farmers and promote a healthy diet.

Agriculture Minister La’auli Leuatea Fosi Schmidt said suggestions are already being made for the morning tea menu.

They include vaisalo, faausi, suafai, panikeke, koko esi, limu fuafua fritters and other local delicacies.

Fiji – immigration

Fiji’s immigration authorities are experiencing major delays due to a large increase in applications.

The Fiji Times reported that the number of passport applications has increased from 4,000 to 6,000 every month.

Citizens have expressed their frustrations over the issue.

Interior Minister Pio Tikoduadua has acknowledged the widespread discontent.

He said there should be an overall improvement in services in the coming months.

Papua New Guinea – visa

The United States has extended the period that citizens of Papua New Guinea can stay in the country on a visitor visa.

The American embassy in Port Moresby announced this the national one Newspaper workers can now stay in the US for six months.

Before the change, a visitor visa for PNG citizens was only valid for one month.

An embassy spokesperson said the change will bring immediate benefits to people visiting family, attending conferences and vacationing.

Vanuatu – blacklist

Vanuatu’s Foreign Minister has expressed optimism that Vanuatu and the European Union would work together to find ways to resolve the EU’s blacklisting of Vanuatu.

Roy Micky Joy, Vanuatu’s former ambassador to the EU, urged the Vanuatu government to respond to the EU’s request for Vanuatu to establish a committee to screen all foreign applicants for a Vanuatu passport screen.

Joy said the EU was concerned that high-risk foreign criminals could use Vanuatu to slip through the EU security net to enter Europe.

He said all the Vanuatu government had to do was comply with the request, and the EU could consider removing Vanuatu from the blacklist.

New Zealand – tribute

University of Auckland Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Pacific) Professor Jemaima Tiatia-Siau has paid tribute to much-loved educationist and Samoan leader Melegalenu’u To’alepaiali Ah Sam (MNZM).

Melegalenu’u, the acting principal of Māngere College, died last week.

She also served as the lead coordinator for the Polyfest Sāmoan stage for over 30 years.

In 2022, Melegalenu’u was recognized as a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to language education in the Pacific.