Tourism Tax Clarity: Fiji’s 5% Tourism Services Tax will now apply only to new bookings made from 1 September, with existing bookings exempt—welcomed by travel groups and the Fiji Hotel and Tourism Association as it removes surprise charges and booking-cancellation risk. Food Security Push: Fiji is expanding hydroponics and protected agriculture to boost year-round vegetable supply and cut the $1.1b food import bill, while the Agriculture Ministry says data gaps are still delaying sharper import-reduction targets. Agribusiness & Exports: Farmers are diversifying as rice spreads across Vanua Levu, and Fiji shipped fresh produce to Naoero under the Pacific Fresh AirLink pilot, with a second consignment sent within a week. Agriculture Investment Planning: The Agriculture Ministry is training staff on economic and financial analysis to strengthen how investment proposals are assessed, aiming for a standard manual and more consistent decision-making. Rural Development Focus: Government says rural development must reflect community needs beyond Suva, linking infrastructure and resilience for cyclone, flood and drought shocks. Aviation & Connectivity: Fiji Airways clarified it leased three BYD vehicles via tender, and announced it will suspend Canberra flights from 5 Feb 2027 due to fuel costs and demand pressures. Export Finance Pressure: A survey finds 67% of exporters struggle to access finance, even as most expect revenue growth—highlighting a key drag on scaling production. Green Industry Idea: Bamboo is being pitched as a climate-smart construction and rural-livelihoods industry, with a push to build a full local value chain.