Tourism Standards Push: Fiji Hotel and Tourism Association is moving to lift wellness and spa service quality using internationally recognised CIDESCO benchmarks, aiming to boost competitiveness, safety and investor confidence. Business Growth Snapshot: Fiji’s active businesses rose to 20,563 last year, led by transport and storage (+40.5%) and strong gains in retail, accommodation/food services and manufacturing. ICT & Energy Investment: Google’s Fiji subsea landing/data centre project at Natadola is progressing, with government saying legal and landowner engagement steps were followed and solar power is planned. Fuel Prices Update: Diesel rises up to 30c/l from 1 Sept, while LPG cylinders drop, easing costs for households. Regional Trade & Jobs Focus: Deputy PM Manoa Kamikamica urged Australia and partners to shift from dependency to investment in renewable energy, infrastructure, agriculture and maritime industries, with faster digital reforms to cut red tape. Pacific Islands Forum Tensions: At the 55th Forum in Palau, several leaders are skipping key talks amid Taiwan-China friction, while Fiji and others push climate, food and security priorities. Agriculture Exports: Fiji sent a second pilot shipment of fresh produce to Naoero, showing growing demand and Fiji’s ability to supply quality food. Wellness Tourism Event: CIDESCO’s World Congress opened in Nadi, spotlighting globally recognised training and links between wellness tourism and local products.