Page 6 - IB October 2021

Briefs Briefs

American Samoa French Polynesia
American Samoa is a ‘AUKUS anchor’ asserts US Congresswom- French Polynesia’s government has come out in support of
an Uifa’atali Amata, who has also pledged the territory’s sup- Chinese company, Tahiti Nui Ocean Foods’ fish farm project
port of Australia, the United Kingdom and the U.S. in a “joint on Hao atoll, saying it is a unique opportunity to get engaged
effort to check Chinese expansion into the Pacific region” in the blue economy. The project was first announced seven
under the new security pact. AUKUS will see Australia gain years ago, but has met with repeated delays. The French
the technology to build nuclear powered submarines, a move President Emmanuel Macron said it was ‘dubious’ earlier this
that has caused consternation in some parts of the Pacific. year. The project is said to be worth US$320 million and will
produce 5,000 tonnes of grouper and wrasse a year from cages
situated in the lagoon.
CNMI
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Gov. Ralph
DLG Torres has signed into law the fiscal year 2022 budget bill, Guam
averting a partial government shutdown. The bill enables ap- Guam’s Department of CHamoru Affairs saw a 44% drop in
propriation of US$103.3 million in projected local revenue for revenue in 2020 due to the closure of the Chamorro Village
CNMI government personnel and operations. The CNMI govern- and Guam Museum for much of the year. Chamorro Village,
ment is also looking to spend $175 million in American Rescue where most of the CHamoru Affairs’ revenue comes from, saw
Plan Act funds provided by the federal government. a net loss of US$68,000, although expenses were also dramati-
cally reduced. The department is charged with the preserva-
tion, development and promotion of the CHamorro Heritage
Cook Islands of Guam.
Cook Islands and Palau lead the world in COVID-19 vaccina-
tions, with 96 and 99% respectively of eligible adults fully vac-
cinated. Meanwhile Te Marae Ora Ministry of Health spokes- Kiribati
person Jaewynn McKay says the demand from 12-15-year-olds, Kiribati has launched a partnership with the Pacific Horticul-
who can now get the Pfizer vaccine, has been strong. tural and Agricultural Market Access Plus Program (PHAMA
Plus) program to facilitate trade and market access under
the Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations (PACER)
Federated States of Micronesia Plus agreement. The work will focus on export of high value
FSM President David W. Panuelo, has transmitted the FSM coconut products, the movement of containers within the
Freedom of Information Act, to the 22nd FSM Congress for Pacific region based on a Sea Container Hygiene System, and
consideration. The Act is intended to enhance transparency in preparedness for emergency responses to pest and diseases
public service, establish a culture of openness and account- outbreaks.
ability in government, and encourage the disclosure of public
information. If passed, the Freedom of Information Act would
require that each national agency publish information about Marshall Islands
its organisation and functions and designate staff to handle The Marshall Islands and U.S. environmental organisation, the
applications for information requests.
Nature Conservancy, have launched a new brand of tuna that
will see 100% of profits returned to Pacific Island communities
that are facing escalating climate risks. Pacific Island Tuna
Fiji (PIT) will supply canned tuna to Walmart for its own-brand
The leader of the new People’s Alliance Party, Sitiveni Rabuka, range Great Value. PIT will be certified by the Marine Stew-
promised to promote, protect and defend the civil, politi- ardship Council and available across the U.S. from early 2022.
cal and religious rights of all communities during the party’s The profit split: 40% will be distributed directly to community-
launch. He again apologised for his actions in leading Fiji’s based conservation and climate resilience projects, such as
first coup d’état in 1987, saying the Rabuka of 2021 is not the development and management of Marine Protected Areas
the Rabuka of 1987. Current polling shows Rabuka poses the and coral reef restoration. The remaining 60% will go directly
greatest threat to the incumbent Fiji First government ahead to Pacific Island governments.
of next year’s election.

New Caledonia
New Caledonia’s Prony Resources has signed a deal with car

6 Islands Business, October 2021