Niue: Doing business and staying in touch

Doing Business in Niue

Shaking hands is the usual form of greeting and leaving. Lightweight suits are recommended for business. Official invitations will always state the dress code required: 'formal' means a jacket and tie for men and 'fiafia' means casual dress is acceptable.

Office Hours

Mon-Fri 0730-1530 or 0800-1600.

Economy

There is limited agriculture, producing coconuts, honey, yams, cassava and sweet potatoes. But weather is inclement and two-thirds of the land is unsuitable for cultivation. Some livestock is reared for local consumption.

Tourism is worth about US$1 million annually, but there is still a budgetary shortfall. This is largely made up for by aid from New Zealand. Niue began developing an offshore financial services industry in the 1990s, but the International Banking Repeal Act of 2002 terminated all offshore banking licences. The island suffers an ongoing population drain as its educated youth leaves in search of work abroad.

Economic growth was reported as 6.2% in 2003. Inflation was 4% in 2005 and unemployment was 12% in 2001.
Matavai Resort conference rooms can seat 50 to 60 people or 120 theatre-style.

GDP

US$10 million (2003).

Main exports

Root crops, coconuts, honey and fruit.

Main imports

Food, live animals, manufactured goods, machinery and fuels.

Main trading partners

New Zealand, Fiji, Cook Islands and Australia.

Keeping in Touch in Niue

Telephone

International calls can also be made directly from the telephone or with the assistance of an operator. There are telephones in hotels, motels and guest houses. Services are run by the Telecommunications Department located at the Commercial Centre in Alofi, which also provides fax facilities, and is open 24 hours a day. Dial 999 for the police, fire or hospital.

Internet

The island has a wireless Internet service provided by the Niue Internet Users Society.

The Niue Post Office is open Mon-Fri 0830-1500.