Economy
Income tax cuts ahead
Thursday 11 June 2015 | Published in Economy
Income tax for low income earners is to be cut – but the reductions will not apply until next year and the year after.
New bank yet to get go-ahead
Friday 5 June 2015 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy
THE BANK of the South Pacific (BSP) is yet to receive the green light from the local banking regulatory body to operate in the Cook Islands.
Chinese visitors increase
Thursday 4 June 2015 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy
THERE has been a gradual increase in the number of visitors from China since 2013.
Vaka immortalised in gold
Thursday 28 May 2015 | Published in Economy
The essence and spirit of the traditional vaka has been immortalised in the form of a new Cook Islands’ $5 gold coin.
Impressed with bank
Tuesday 19 May 2015 | Published in Economy
An impressive display of technology and customer service was on display at the Bank of the South Pacific (BSP) in Papua New Guinea last week.
Japan focus of bid to boost tourism
Tuesday 19 May 2015 | Published in Economy
Japan will be the focus of efforts to boost Cook Islands tourism later this month.
Westpac takeover by end of May
Monday 18 May 2015 | Published in Economy
Bank South Pacific (BSP) says it is waiting for a few more regulatory approvals before fully acquiring the banking operations of Westpac in Samoa, Cook Islands, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and Tonga for $125 million.
Banking initiative for region
Monday 11 May 2015 | Published in Economy
A Pacific Islands Regional Initiative (PIRI) aimed at increasing financial inclusion in the Pacific Islands is being launched this week.
Learning business from the ground up
Wednesday 6 May 2015 | Published in Economy
In a bid to reverse depopulation trends in the Cook Islands, the Chamber of Commerce is offering a free workshop for locals wanting to start new businesses.
Tax officer here to help
Saturday 2 May 2015 | Published in Economy
When you meet bright young Chiavanni Le’Mon, it is hard to believe some people are intimidated by her job. But the new Ministry of Finance and Economic Management (MFEM) tax advisory officer says she wants people to understand she is here to help with tax education, not debt collection. Le’Mon has been in the role under the Revenue Management Division (Tax and Customs) since the end of last year, and says there has been some confusion in the community about her role, and apprehension about taxes in general.
Workers stand by wage demands
Thursday 30 April 2015 | Published in Economy
The Cook Islands’ Workers Association still stands by their claim that cost of living adjustments (COLA) are essential within private and public sector to cater for a decent, fair, liveable wage.
Neves hits back at worker demands
Tuesday 28 April 2015 | Published in Economy
Financial Secretary Richard Neves has hit back at demands from the Cook Islands Workers Association.
Door re-opens on mentoring programme
Tuesday 28 April 2015 | Published in Economy
Business owners will get the opportunity to flourish and grow when the Pacific Business Mentoring Programme returns to Rarotonga next month.
Bank services to stay intact following sale
Saturday 18 April 2015 | Published in Economy
Bank South Pacific have no plans to change current products and services to Westpac Cook Islands when they take over the bank in the middle of this year.
Effect of crime on tourism significant, says Fua
Monday 23 March 2015 | Published in Economy
The Cook Islands Police Service must be congratulated for catching and prosecuting two men who committed a large number of crimes against tourists, says Cook Islands Tourism Corporation chief executive Halatoa Fua.
Henderson to be top man at MFEM
Sunday 22 March 2015 | Published in Economy
Garth Henderson has been appointed Financial Secretary of the Ministry of Finance and Economic Management (MFEM) effective from the end of this year.
Money-saving coins cause for celebration
Friday 13 March 2015 | Published in Economy
New Cook Islands coins are set to save the government money and add to the country’s national identity.
Financial system draws praise from IMF office
Friday 13 March 2015 | Published in Economy
The Cook Islands’ financial system was praised by the International Monetary Fund at a two-day meeting of Pacific finance ministers and reserve bankers which began on Rarotonga yesterday.
First new coins come off the production line
Saturday 7 March 2015 | Published in Economy
Cook Islands Minister of Finance Mark Brown was in Australia this week to officially strike the Cook Islands’ new coins, set to be released later this year.
China could lift off-peak tourism
Monday 2 March 2015 | Published in Economy
The Cook Islands Tourism Corporation is investigating emerging markets in China and Japan in an effort to boost visitor numbers during the traditional off-peak months.
