Economy
Lynch talks on seabed minerals in China
Saturday 27 October 2012 | Published in Economy
The seabed minerals commissioner flew back from China on Tuesday – only to go to Belgium today.
Time for terminal tax
Tuesday 23 October 2012 | Published in Economy
It’s that time of year again – terminal tax is due at the start of next month for all individuals, companies and trusts.
Bad debts the big problem
Tuesday 23 October 2012 | Published in Economy
For the third time in about five years our banking system has been reviewed by yet another externally sourced “expert”. The final report identifies the major problem of the Cook Islands banking system as $45-60 million dollars of non-performing loans (NPLs). These loans, on which the borrower has stopped making payment, comprise 16 percent of all lending. Bad loans are said to constitute the primary reason for raising the risk profile and cost of lending in the Cook Islands (three percent of the five percent difference between Cook Islands bank rates and those of Australia and New Zealand).
'Steady-as-she-goes approach' to mining
Saturday 20 October 2012 | Published in Economy
Seabed mining is a new frontier which should be treated with caution and optimism, says Prime Minister Henry Puna.
Stage completion a few days away
Wednesday 17 October 2012 | Published in Economy
The Punanga Nui market stage is due to be completed by the end of next week.
Local bread price increases 10c
Wednesday 17 October 2012 | Published in Economy
The retail price of bread has increased by 10 cents in the latest bread price order, which came into effect October 12.
Brown: Avoid snakes and ladders
Tuesday 16 October 2012 | Published in Economy
Finance Minister Mark Brown told delegates at the Pacific States Seminar in Tokyo that the Cooks wanted to avoid a game of snakes and ladders in trying to achieve a higher income status level.
New book celebrates founding leaders
Tuesday 16 October 2012 | Published in Economy
The Cook Islands’ own Sir Tom Davis and John Henry Webb feature in a book recording conversations with some of the founding Pacific Islands Forum Leaders launched at the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat in Suva.
Use the web to attract Americans
Tuesday 16 October 2012 | Published in Economy
A web presence and online marketing is crucial to get in touch with the burgeoning North American travel market, interested industry partners were told at a recent tourism marketing update.
Islands taste success in Australia
Tuesday 16 October 2012 | Published in Economy
Pacific Islands Trade and Invest (PT&I) hosted 11 Pacific Island exporters from seven different countries including Papua New Guinea, Tonga, Samoa, Niue, Solomon Islands, Fiji and Vanuatu at Fine Food Australia in Melbourne, Australia, recently.
Job creation an IMF priority
Saturday 13 October 2012 | Published in Economy
The government must protect the vulnerable when creating fiscal policy, reports finance Minister Mark Brown from Japan.
Our tipping point
Saturday 13 October 2012 | Published in Economy
Tipping point is defined as a build up of minor incidents or small changes that reach a level that causes us to do something or make changes that we use to resist. Often the change is significant.
Expansion likely for dragon fruit grower
Friday 12 October 2012 | Published in Economy
A retired police officer is hoping the agricultural development loan (ADL) he received from the Business Trade and Investment Board (BTIB) will help him expand his dragon fruit and chilli production.
'A lot of money in pineapples'
Friday 12 October 2012 | Published in Economy
Interested government officials given a tour of a pineapple plantation in Vaimaanga last week were told the demand is there for more growers to branch into pineapples.
Payroll to be overhauled
Thursday 11 October 2012 | Published in Economy
A new payroll and human resources system is aiming to allow everyone working in government ministries, Crown agencies and ministry staff to access their personal details.
Brown seeks IMF membership
Thursday 11 October 2012 | Published in Economy
Finance Minister Mark Brown and financial secretary Richard Neves flew to Tokyo on Monday to attend the annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank.
New accreditation scheme in place
Thursday 11 October 2012 | Published in Economy
Tourists can soon be assured they are getting quality service when a new accreditation scheme rolls out at the start of next year.
Taxis to go green
Wednesday 10 October 2012 | Published in Economy
Six registered taxi drivers have decided to take up the offer to ‘go green’.
TripAdvisor tick for Tamarind
Wednesday 10 October 2012 | Published in Economy
Tamarind House in Pue has been awarded a certificate of excellence from popular tourism website TripAdvisor.
Huanan case clarified
Wednesday 10 October 2012 | Published in Economy
The Business Trade and Investment Board (BTIB) has issued a media release explaining the motivation behind, and the details of, the business licence awarded to Huanan Fisheries (Cook Islands) Ltd, a company in which Luen Thai Fishing Ventures Ltd holds shares.