Briefs
Business
Region
Kava makers in the region are expected to meet early in 2004 to discuss strategy to get back into the European market. The more than US$100 million export industry virtually collapsed in 2002 after Germany banned its import over claims of liver damage, and half a dozen other countries followed suit. A recent study by the European Union’s Center for Development of Enterprise slammed the “evidence” used by Germany to support banning the product.
—GJ
Guam
Pacific Ventures opened a Long John Silver’s fast food restaurant in Guam Nov. 3. The fish and chips eatery shares building space at the Agana Shopping Center with a Taco Bell outlet, also owned by Pacific Ventures.
—FW
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The aircraft carrier, USS Kitty Hawk, and two ships from its carrier group called at Guam on Nov. 26 permitting about 6,000 sailors to spend the Thanksgiving holiday ashore. It has been estimated that such visits pump about $1 million per day into Guam’s economy.
—FW
FSM
The Kosrae Visitors Bureau has concluded a contract with Guam-based Redda Pacific Group Ltd. for the preparation of a comprehensive action-based tourism master plan. Gerry Perez, an ornithologist who serves as the administrator for the Guam Economic Development and Commerce Authority, and John Salas, a former senator who serves as the current president of the University of Guam, head up the Redda Group.
—OW
Palau
The Belau branch of Bank of Guam is undergoing a five-month, US$110,000 renovation. Work on the building commenced in November and completion is targeted for the bank’s charter day, Mar. 13. Banking will carry on for the duration as the renovations will continue 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
—NC
Palau Visitors Authority officials, dive shop owners, and tour operators attended the October Diving Equipment and Marketing Association Conference held in Miami, Florida. Representatives from Sam’s Tours, Fish ’n Fins, Neco Marine, Dolphins Pacific and Big Blue Explorer joined a “Micronesian Isle” pavilion to showcase a slide presentation of regional dive sites organized through Pacific Asia Travel Association.
—NC
Pres. Tommy Remengesau has endorsed a low-cost plan to promote Micronesia through Hawaii.com, a Web-based travel company touted to offer mass marketing opportunities and comprehensive online bookings. Hawaii.com is a joint venture of Gannett Co. Inc. and Stephens Media Group.
—SR
Nauru
Air Nauru and Nauru government officials were reviewing a Marshall Islands draft agreement for Air Nauru to begin air service directly linking Majuro with Australia. The Marshall Islands proposal follows on Air Nauru interest in launching the route and is proposing that Air Nauru be designated as the national carrier for the Marshall Islands between Fiji and Kiribati, with some seats set aside for a code-sharing agreement.
—GJ
CNMI
The Federal Communications Commission approved the US$60 million sale of the local telephone company Verizon to Pacific Telecom Inc., a major telecommunications company based in the Philippines. But PTI must still get the approval of the Commonwealth Telecommunications Commission board before the sale becomes final. CTC is an autonomous agency whose members are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Senate. Gov. Juan N. Babauta opposed the sale citing, among other things, national security concerns. The FCC approval disappointed the Babauta administration although Press Secretary Peter Callaghan said the decision will not be appealed.
—FR
The Commonwealth Ports Authority board awarded AIC Marianas a contract to build the Tinian International Airport terminal building. AIC Marianas was the second lowest bidder with US$2.6 million for the project to ASC Construction, which submitted the lowest bid of $2.5 million. But CPA said ASC Construction didn’t get the award as it did not meet the bonding requirement.
—FR
French Polynesia
The regional branch of one of Air France’s labor unions has officially announced an unlimited strike against the French national carrier, Air France, starting at midnight on Jan. 17. A 24-hour strike on Nov. 22 observed by a majority of the union members created a three-hour delay in an Air France flight and the unloading of 60 passengers. The union is seeking a relaunching of a local hiring process. Without any guarantee of the continuity of Air France’s Paris-Papeete route, the union members want to protect themselves, union official Alain Philippe says.
—GJ/Tahitipresse
American Samoa
The High Court of American Samoa in early December ordered financially troubled Pago Pago-based Samoa Air to pay more than US$400,000 to an Australia company for back lease payments and replacement of missing parts in two aircraft engines. The order was the result of a lawsuit filed in March this year by Pratt & Whitney Canada Pty.
Meanwhile, Samoa Air won a legal battle with the territorial government, which tried to evict the airline on Nov. 6 from their office and ticket counter spaces at the Pago Pago International Airport. Court records say Samoa Air has outstanding debts of about $2 million, with about $350,000 owed to the territorial government for the airline’s rental space at the airport, landing fees, income taxes and other charges.
—FS
Samoa
Government has moved to build shelters for produce sellers who spill outside the Fugalei Market building daily for lack of space inside. Government owns the market through Accident Compensation Corporation, which has issued an invitation to building contractors to submit tenders to build five shelters for produce sellers. Sellers, especially of bananas, taro and other staples, have suffered the sun and rain over the years outside the market building.
—FS
Marshall Islands
Outrigger Hotels in Honolulu has given notice that it intends to terminate its management of the Outrigger Marshall Islands Resort in Majuro in early January 2004 if urgently needed renovations are not undertaken.
—GJ
Contributors: Giff Johnson, Frank Whitman, Olivier Wortel, Nancy Chism, Scott Radway, Frank Rosario and Fili Sagapolutele
