Fri - July 25 '08
Jul 25, 2008, 08:52

The interim Government called off a regional meeting in Nadi yesterday after its Pacific counterparts protested against interim Defence Minister Ratu Epeli Ganilau. Australia and New Zealand opposed Ratu Epeli as chairman in one of the discussions at the Pacific Regional Disaster Risk Management Meeting at the Westin Resort on Denarau. Ratu Epeli said when he was informed of the protest prior to the discussion, he opted out of the meeting. (FT)

Interim Finance Minister Mahendra Chaudhry reported to work yesterday amid speculation that he was to be removed from the regime. The absence of Mr Chaudhry from a meeting of the water bottling companies, members of the military council and interim Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum on Wednesday gave rise to speculation that Mr Chaudhry could lose his job. (FT)

Tourism earnings for 2008 will be better than last year, says the Fiji Islands Visitors Bureau. This comes as the Fiji Islands Bureau of Statistics provisional data show overall takings in Fiji's tourism sector fell to $438.5-million in 2007 from $485.2m in 2006, a drop of 9.6 per cent. Bureau chairman Patrick Wong said 2007 earnings were affected by the aftermath of the events of December 2006. (FT)

Parmesh Chand will resume duties as permanent secretary in the Prime Minister's Office from Monday. This was confirmed by Mr Chand yesterday, who referred queries to Public Service Commission head Rishi Ram. (FT)



-End-