Tonga Chamber of Commerce & Industry Inc.

Greetings Private Sector Members,

Please note registration for the National Business Conference closes today!

To register please use the link provided or call our office at 25168 to register.

An alternative phone number to reach for registration is 7721186.

Registration Form To be completed by each participant for the 2026 TNBC (17 - 18 June 2026). There is limited space available. If you have more than one participant from your business, you may be advised if there is no space available. Thank you for your interest to participate at the Tonga National Business Conferen...

Greetings Private Sector Members!

The registration for the Tonga National Business Conference 2026 is now open.

Operating under the theme "𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐓𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐚'𝐬 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫: 𝐓𝐨𝐟𝐚 𝐡𝐚 𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐚 𝐟𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐚 𝐟𝐨'𝐨𝐮 𝐦𝐚'𝐚𝐞 𝐒𝐞𝐤𝐢𝐭𝐨𝐚 𝐓𝐚𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐚𝐡𝐚 '𝐚 𝐓𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐚", the conference intents to bring together businesses from around Tonga to share experiences, discuss ideas, explore opportunities, establish networks regarding key areas important for private sector growth.

It is also aimed at strengthening cooperation and trust between Government and the Private Sector around common goals and be able to develop appropriate set of recommendations for relevant stakeholders at the conclusion of the conference to support private sector priorities.

Registration can be completed online through the link provided or by calling TCCI's office at 25168 or MTED's office.

Please find the link below for registration.

https://forms.gle/ehNVC42L7EoWML4Y9

Registration Form To be completed by each participant for the 2026 TNBC (17 - 18 June 2026). There is limited space available. If you have more than one participant from your business, you may be advised if there is no space available. Thank you for your interest to participate at the Tonga National Business Conferen...

TCCI is ready for 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐫 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐨 𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝟏!

Come check us out at our booth.

We will be explaining the main services TCCI offers:
✅Networking
✅Advocating
✅Training

Our booth is also featuring one of our key partners, Business Link Pacific (BLP). TCCI is happy to explain BLP services and the process for each service:
✅ Business Toolkit
✅ Business Advisors
✅ Business Financing

Be sure to drop by!

Ongoongo Tukuatu

Hiki Totongi Lolo ki Me 2026

‘Oku faka‘amu ‘a e Potungaue Fefakatau‘aki mo e Langa Fakalakalaka faka‘ekonomika ke fakahoko atu ke mea’i ‘e Hou‘eiki mo e Kakai ‘o e Fonua ‘a hono fokotu’u ‘e he P**e Fe’unga ‘a e ngaahi totongi lolo fo‘ou ki he mahina ko Me 2026 ‘o kamata ngaue’aki aho Falaite aho 1 o Me 2026

Koe totongi fakamovetevete ki Tongatapu ni, koe

Pen*sini hiki aki seniti .25 ‘o $3.95 ki he lita
Kalasini hiki aki seniti .20 ‘o $3.85 ki he lita
Tisolo hiki aki seniti .15 ‘o $4.60 ki he lita

Malo Aupito
Va'a Tokangaekina 'ae Konisiuma
_________

PRESS RELEASE

Increase in Petroleum Prices for May 2026

The Ministry of Trade and Economic Development wishes to advise the public that the Tonga Competent Authority (TCA) has approved new petroleum prices, effective Friday, 1 May 2026.
As a result, the updated retail prices for Tongatapu are as follows:

Petrol: Increased by 0.25 cent to $3.95 per litre
Kerosene: Increased by 0.20 cent to $3.85 per litre
Diesel: Increased by 0.15 cent to $4.60 per litre

Thank you.
Consumer Protection and Fair Trade Division

TCCI would like to extend our deepest gratitude to business owners and stakeholders for taking the time and effort to attend the online and in-office meetings with ILO regarding the impact of Overseas Labor Mobility (OLM) in Tonga. The outcome of these meetings revealed the economic impacts of OLM on businesses in Tonga which included the following:

➡️Skilled workers migrating more than unskilled workers
➡️Minimum to no notice towards employers when employees leave
➡️Employees returning from the OLM scheme does not enhance productivity in the business as they return with the same skills and knowledge as when they left
➡️Lack of work integrity in employees
➡️The cost of bringing foreign workers to Tonga
➡️The lengthy process it takes to complete a single application in Tonga for foreign workers
➡️Providing incentives to retain employees from leaving such as increasing wage salary

Even though the research is focused on the economic issues, business owners communicated the non-economic impacts are equally costly to their businesses. The mental strain of dealing with such issues often and the reintegration process with employees in the OLM program. These are only the few of the non-economic impact business owners have expressed.

Though the weariness is evident, it is clear the only way forward to combat these issues is unity. For businesses to stand together to amplify these issues where it will not be ignored.

In 2025, ILO celebrated 50 years of work in the Pacific. TCCI was invited to join in the momentous celebration. During which President, Sam Vea met with ILO officer Mahanam Mithun and requested research be conducted to evaluate the impact of labor migration in Tonga.

Since then, ILO and TCCI worked to initiate this research. On Tuesday, 21st April 2026 TCCI welcomed Mr. Mithun and international consultant Proma Parmita to Tonga. Ms. Parmita hired by ILO to conduct the research "𝐄𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐜 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐎𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐬 𝐋𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐌𝐨𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐢𝐧 𝐓𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐚". We were delighted to host them joined by Mele Amanaki the representative for workers before they start their mission to collect data from stakeholders and business owners.

As always TCCI is grateful for the continued partnership with ILO in creating decent work environments, strengthening the voice of the private sector in policy dialogue and helping businesses adapt to challenges.

TCCI is delighted to share with our community the Manaaki New Zealand Vocational Short-Term Training Scholarship.

Please find the following information for interested applicants.

𝐎𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰:
The Vocational Short-Term Training Scholarships (VSTTS) provide opportunities for individuals from eligible Pacific countries and Timor-Leste to undertake practical skills training or work experience in New Zealand or, with approval, in their home country.

The program supports short-term training of one week to 12 months in areas such as trade skills, technical training, and workplace experience with New Zealand-based institutions or organisations. These scholarships aim to strengthen the skills and capabilities of participants to meet the human resource and development priorities of their home countries and align with New Zealand's priority sectors.

VSTTS recipients are expected to apply their learning to contribute to their communities, workplaces, and national development goals.

𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐝;
Opening Date: 13th April 2026 (From 9:00am)
Closing Date: 30th April 2026 (9:00am)

𝐄𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐂𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐚:
▪️ Be a citizen of Tonga
▪️ Been living in Tonga for at least the last 2 years
▪️ Have a minimum of 1 year full-time (or 2 years part-time) relevant work experience
▪️ Not be a current military personnel or citizen/permanent resident of NZ or other high-income countries
▪️ Expect to meet visa and academic entry requirements of the proposed training programme
▪️ Be committed to returning home for 12+ months to contribute to national development

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐂𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬:
▪️ Tuition fees for eligible short-term training (1 week to 12 months) in NZ
▪️ Airfares, visas, travel insurance and accommodation
▪️ Fortnightly living stipend and establishment allowance
▪️ Additional support for approved work placements, pastoral care, or tutoring needs

𝐄𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐲𝐩𝐞𝐬:
▪️ Technical or vocational training (Certificates, Diplomas up to NZQF Level 6)
▪️ Work placements

𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬:
Please click on this link to the application portal:
https://apps.docusign.com/webforms/au/1b281749c6caa0ea9f0ddedb789e3f4a

Start your journey to higher education now!