Business Breakfasts and Events

Chamber is striving to organize networking and informational events that allow members to interact in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere, while meeting and listening to guest speakers that provide expert points of view on topics of interest to the local business community. These events are usually organized around a breakfast, lunch or evening cocktail. Priority is given to members of Chamber, who also benefit from discount prices.

The events are described below in reverse chronological order. Please click on the pictures to see a gallery of photos of the corresponding event.

The state of telecommunications in Tonga has been identified as an important impediment to doing business in TCCI’s Business Survey 2010. Thus it is not surprising that many business owners attended the discussion on the latest telecommunications technologies available in Tonga led by guest speakers Paula Ma’u, Secretary of the Ministry of Information, Paula Mosa’ati, Acting Manager Sales & Marketing of TCC, and Sione Veikoso, Manager Engineering of TCC.

Paula Ma’u started the discussion by explaining the Ministry of Information’s Policy and Regulatory role and by giving an update on some of the projects under way that aim at improving the telecommunications infrastructure in Tonga, i.e. the fiber optic cable link or the AM radio access. He also reminded the audience that complaints on the carriers can be brought to MoI. In a Q&A session, participants expressed their concerns about the cable link and its impact on the cost of internet services or on the ease of access to pornography and other illicit materials it will allow, and on the enforcement/control capacity of the MoI on the consumers as well as on the internet providers.

Paula Mosa’ati and Sione Veikoso gave a presentation on TCC’s services and the range of technologies available, and the impact of the cable link on the internet services. In the following Q&A session, participants wondered how consumers could assess the volume of data they download/upload, enquired about the safety of the Wimax system, questioned again the impact of the cable link on the quality and affordability of the services provided and asked clarifications on the way the rates will be calculated.

 TCCI wishes to warmly thank TCC for sponsoring the event, the guest speakers for clarifying some important issues, and the audience for its interest and participation. Chamber’s April Issue of the Lali Buzz will also be dedicated to the issue of telecommunications and business in Tonga.

21st February 2011 - Australia Pacific Technical College (APTC) Information Session (Davina House)

Many employers from Tonga’s trade industry gathered at Davina House to hear about opportunities available from the Australia Pacific Technical College (APTC). Eastern Divisional Manager for APTC (Samoa), Ms Francis Howes is in town taking applications for vocational trade course and took the time to discuss the benefits of vocational training to interested guests.

The APTC was designed as a centre of training excellence, helping people to gain Australian-standard skills and qualifications for a wide range of vocational careers throughout the Pacific – careers where skilled employees are in high demand. Courses are available in the areas of automotive, construction, engineering and manufacturing and are delivered in either Fiji or Samoa. Training courses can often be expensive, but as Ms. Howes explained, students from Tonga can apply for a scholarship that will cover the fees, flights, accommodation and stipend which helps make qualified training a more realistic goal for many Tongans.

This is an exciting opportunity for skilled workers in Tonga to continue learning in their field of work and to receive a qualification which is identical to the courses that Australian Apprentices must undertake. APTC is an AusAID funded project that commenced in 2007 and stage 1 of the funding will continue till 2011. Ms. Howes encouraged Tongans to apply while funding was still available as part of stage 1. To find out more about courses offered and how to apply for a scholarship please email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or visit www.aptc.edu.au

The Pacific Cooperation Foundation together with Tonga Chamber of Commerce invites you all to attend the ‘Pacific Quality Mark – True Pacific Stakeholder Feedback Meeting’, Monday 17^th January at TCCI conference room from 5.00pm to 7.00pm. The purpose of this meeting is to gather feedback from stakeholders about the True Pacific Quality Assurance Programme – specifically the draft Code of Practice and Product Specifications; and to provide a project update. If you need further information please log in to www.pcf.org.nz or call us on 25-168. Download the invitation.

TCCI held the first in a series of Electoral Candidate Evenings both for members and the general public on Thursday 28^th of November at Fa’onelua Convention Centre. TCCI invited all eight candidates from the Constituency of Tongatapu 2 (parts of Kolofo’ou, Fasi moe Afi, Fanga and Havelu) to dialogue with and answer questions from the attendance. Four of them were able to attend: Dr. Viliami Tangi (current Minister of Health and Deputy Prime Minister), Mr. Tevita Kaitu’u Fotu, Mr. Sione Tu’itavake Fonua and Mr. Siale ‘Ataongo Puloka.

The event started with a Welcoming Speech from Mr. Paula Taumoepeau, President of TCCI. Ms. ‘Aloma Johansson, TCCI Vice-President, was the moderator to facilitate dialogue with both Tongan and English speakers. The candidates were given the opportunity to briefly introduce themselves and their campaign platform. Dialogue between the candidates and the attendees covered 4 main private sector issues: Private Sector Led Economy, Job Creation, Access to Finance and Current Reforms.

The dialogue was followed by a Questions & Answers session, where participants had the opportunity to assess the candidates’ position and determine which one(s) best represent(s) the interests of their Constituency and the Private Sector. The evening concluded with light refreshments provided by the Chamber. For more information please see the flier and program of the event.

The Tonga Chamber of Commerce & Industry Inc. wishes to acknowledge the AusAid Pacific Leadership Program for sponsoring the event.

The “Ogilvy Presentation” was attended by more than 20 members and refreshments were provided as usual. The event was facilitated by Ms. Mary Lyn Fonua and hosted by Chamber. The evening program started with a welcome speech by Mr. Paula Taumoepeau, President of TCCI. The presenters, Mr. Nigel Hassall of Ogilvy and Mr. Donar Alofs of XS4ALL, explained the presence of the new 1.5 civic clock placed in front of the Tonga Post Office, along with a new Dutch language billboard, as part of an advertisement campaign run in Holland for an internet provider company. The Clock was donated to the people of Tonga in a handover ceremony on the following day November 28^th. They also talked about the use of interactive media such as live streaming on the internet, Skype, Facebook etc. for business advertisement. The evening ended with a lively Questions & Answers session, followed by a word of thanks from Ms. Leta Havea Kami, TCCI Councillor. Download the flier and program.

The Tonga Chamber of Commerce & Industry Inc. would like to thank AusAid Pacific Leadership Program for sponsoring the event.

The topic of the discussion was the future forecasts of access to credit in relation to the private sector. Presenters were the Governor of the Reserve Bank of Tonga, Paul Wilkinson (General Manager, Westpac Bank of Tonga), Arthur Hubbard (CEO of the ANZ Bank and President of the Bankers Association), Simione Sefanaia (General Manager of the Tonga Development Bank) ans Siosi Mafi (Governor of the Reserve Bank of Tonga). 

The Minister of Finance presented the 2010-2011 Budget before a lively Q&A session in which many members participated. One of the highlights of the evening was the news that stamp duty is going to be abrogated! The Minister also reminded participants that one of Government’s objectives was the growth of the private sector. TCCI wishes to warmly thank Digicel for sponsoring the event, and thanks all participants for attending this event. Please note that we have a Tongan and English version of the presentation available: if you would like  a copy please contact us

This event was organised in conjunction with the Ministry of Labour, Commerce & Industries. Mr. Langston was in Tonga from the 15^th to the 18^th of May to visit key organizations and heads of Departments in both the public and private sectors. He is here as part of the Strategic Speaker Initiative Program for Small and Medium Enterprises-Development Innovation and Entrepreneurial Opportunities. He is the founder of Langston Global Enterprises and the former National Director of the Minority Business Development Agency, Washington, D.C. He holds degrees from the University of Iowa, City University of NY and Harvard University. For more information on Mr. Langston and Langston Global Enterprises, please visit his website at www.langstonglobalenterprises.com

This Business Breakfast was organised in partnership with Westpac Bank.  Mr. Geoff Rousel gave a presentation on world commodities markets and likely upcoming trends.  Geoff Rousel is the Executive Director and Global Head of Westpac’s Commodities, Carbon & Energy (CCE) group.  

This Business Breakfast was sponsored by Digicel. David Wright, former head of Tonga Power, has given a brief presentation on the importance of Corporate Governance followed by a Q&A session.   Corporate Governance is the system by which companies are controlled and operated.  Good corporate governance contributes to sustainable economic development by enhancing the performance of companies and increasing their opportunities for access to outside capital.

TCCI celebrates Chinese New Year with the partnership of Digicel. A briefing from the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) on trade opportunities between Tonga and China was followed by presentations by TCCI members who attended PRC-funded training sessions in China in 2009.