Economy
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.
Stable outlook for country confirmed
Friday 27 February 2015 | Published in Economy
Standard & Poor's Ratings Services has affirmed its 'B+/B' credit rating for the Cook Islands, saying the country’s economic outlook remains stable.
Workers want Government to act on bank sale
Thursday 5 February 2015 | Published in Economy
The Government should intervene in the sale of Westpac as customers feel uncertain about the bank’s surprise decision, says Cook Islands Workers Association.
New bank moves to reassure customers
Thursday 5 February 2015 | Published in Economy
The Cook Islands will be seeing more lime green soon, as Westpac Cook Islands gets set to be rebranded using the corporate colours of the Bank of South Pacific (BSP).
Bank sale concerns
Monday 2 February 2015 | Published in Economy
Some Westpac Cook Islands customers say they are considering cancelling their accounts, following last week’s announcement that the bank’s Cook Islands operations will be sold to Bank of South Pacific Limited.
December sets visitor arrivals record
Monday 2 February 2015 | Published in Economy
A total of 10,176 visitors came to Cook Islands in December, creating an arrivals record for the month.
Big year ahead for finance
Saturday 31 January 2015 | Published in Economy
With a budget policy statement, new tax systems, new coin designs, and a development partners meeting in the pipeline it is fair to say the Ministry of Finance and Economic Management has a big year ahead.
Westpac to sell local operation
Thursday 29 January 2015 | Published in Economy
Westpac has entered into an agreement to sell its banking operations in the Cook Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and Tonga to the Bank of South Pacific Limited (BSP) for A$125 million.
Processing change will save time and money
Saturday 24 January 2015 | Published in Economy
From February 2 this year the Cook Islands High Commission in Wellington will no longer process documents related to the employment of citizens of the Philippines in the Cook Islands.
Witholding tax explained
Tuesday 20 January 2015 | Published in Economy
Treasurer Andrew Haigh has moved to clarify the withholding tax system in the Cook Islands after a story in the Cook Islands Herald claimed withholding tax of 30 per cent would apply on interest earned on bank deposits in the Cook Islands.
Relief in sight for hard-hit motorists
Thursday 15 January 2015 | Published in Economy
Relief may be in sight for long-suffering Cook Islands motorists hit in the pocket by high fuel prices.
Product prices change weekly
Friday 9 January 2015 | Published in Economy
This week an annoyed smoke signaller wrote in about their frustrations at the pricing process of produce at CITC Supermarket and Foodland.
Wet weather puts rental cars in huge demand
Tuesday 6 January 2015 | Published in Economy
An influx of December visitors and families returning home has seen rental companies across the island running out of cars.
