Fiji

Cocoa output doubles FIJI’S cocoa growers produced 250 tonnes of beans in the first half of this year. While that is a tiny amount by any standard, the significant point is that it was double the quantity produced in the same period last

year. The increase was due to new cocoa plants bearing pods for the first time and to improved management by growers. The greater attention paid by farmers to harvesting, drying and storage of beans resulted in 90 per cent of the crop being placed in Grade 1.

The beans were exported to Britain, New Zealand and the Netherlands and earned F 5400,000 ($U5279,000).

Tenders called for Malaysian oil OIL companies in Fiji have been asked to tender for the processing of crude oil from Malaysia. The successful tenderer will be responsible for the transport of crude oil from Port Kerten in Malaysia and process it ready for distribution. Fiji has agreed to buy 10,000 barrels a day from Malaysia.

Air deal with Marshalls signed AIR Marshall Islands will be permitted to operate into Nadi from Honolulu under a new agreement between the Marshalls and Fiji. The new service will depend upon the

airline obtaining landing rights in

Honolulu for the service it already flies out of the Hawaiian capital to Majuro. The new agreement provides that Air Marshall Islands and a Fiji carrier can operate on the Nadi-Majuro corridor, with stops at Tarawa, in Kiribati.

Tradewinds Hotel sold THE 100-room Tradewinds Hotel in Lami, outside Suva, has been bought from Fiji National Provident Fund by Reg Rafe, who runs the Plantation Island Resort in the Mamanuca Group and the Raffles Gateway at Nadi. The hotel needs major

repairs.