Page 8 - IB Sept-Oct 2020

Briefs Briefs

Avaroa Cable Ltd and the OPT Group have announced a
connectivity partnership providing the Cook Islands with
American Samoa its first international fibre cable connectivity. Using the
Governor Lolo Matalasi Moliga says the US$170 million injected Manatua cable, the landmark deal links Rarotonga through to
into the territory as part of federal COVID-19 assistance Tahiti Internet Exchange, and beyond to major international
is a “blessing in disguise.” Governor Moliga says the aid is internet hubs in Hawaii and Los Angeles, USA.
a “tsunami of cash” and is positively affecting the local
economy. He says increased production at Starkist Samoa
and funding to local government agencies through the CARES Fiji
Act is also driving spending. The government has submitted a Fiji’s Parliament has passed amendments to the Citizenship
US$464 million budget for the 2021 fiscal year. Act and Immigration Bill which Prime Minister Voreqe
Bainimarama says will increase investor confidence. Under
the new law, citizens must now be present in Fiji for five
out of the ten years required to be eligible to apply for
Bougainville citizenship. There are also stricter penalties for overstayers.
New Autonomous Bougainville Government President, Ishmael
Toroama has been sworn in to run a caretaker government.
“My caretaker government will focus critically on the Dialogue
and Consultation phase with the Government of Papua French Polynesia
New Guinea in preparation for the Ratification process,” French Polynesia’s health authorities believe the peak of
President Toroama—a former Bougainville Revolutionary COVID-19 cases may not come until January 2021. Since
Army Commander— said during the swearing in. Beyond the August when borders reopened to tourists, more than 1256
Presidency, many new MPs have been elected to parliament. cases have been detected. Meanwhile a court in French
Toroama led the count from the outset, and says he has two- Polynesia has dismissed a challenge to the order to wear
to-three years to implement Bougainville’s independence. masks brought in to stop the spread of COVID-19. The
challenge was brought by 47 individuals who said the decree
was too vague and too restrictive.

Federated States of Micronesia
President David W. Panuelo has established a taskforce to
guide the Blue Prosperity Micronesia program. Over the next Guam
five years the taskforce will develop a Marine Spatial Plan The commercialisation of Guam’s cannabis sector is inching
and a Blue Economy Plan, conduct scientific assessments, closer, with public hearings on draft regulations relating to
ocean use and stakeholder consultations, and create proposed adult recreational marijuana use to be held once COVID-19
legislation for the FSM Congress’ review. This work will build restrictions are lifted. The retail market could reach US$133
upon existing FSM conservation and sustainable development million per annum according to projections. The recreational
commitments and goals to effectively manage at least 30% of use of marijuana was legalised in Guam last year.
the nation’s waters.

Marshall Islands
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands The US and Marshall Islands governments have agreed to the
CNMI’s hospital had to run on generator power for six hours use of US$34 million in Compact funding, which will be used
after its electricity supply was cut due to overdue power bills. primarily to fund Marshalls’ health and education sectors and
The hospital has an outstanding account of US$34 million. infrastructure and maintenance projects.
There are concerns the hospital’s Medicare and Medicaid
status will be affected by the matter if it cannot be resolved.
Marshall Islands continues to report dengue cases, and health
authorities are concerned about its possible spread to outer
islands. Marshall Islands has been experiencing the outbreak
Cook Islands since July last year; at one stage the capital’s hospital was
Cook Islands’ Private Sector Taskforce wants more funding to reporting almost 30 cases a day. Health leaders have called
roll out its COVID-19 contact tracing system. The CookSafe for an increase in prevention campaigns.
contact tracing system has been funded by the private sector
to date, with some support from government. Its effective
operation will be necessary for creation of a keenly-sought
travel bubble with New Zealand. Palau
Taiwan has given Palau a two year holiday on loan

8 Islands Business, September/October 2020