The Reserve Bank’ Board at its meeting on 2nd February 2017 noted that the activities in the domestic economy were generally positive, the real GDP growth estimate for 2016/17 was revised up to 3.6%, the foreign reserves stood at T$378.8 million and 9.8 months of imports, annual inflation at 6.1% and is expected to fall to 4% in the beginning of 2017/18.

The National Reserve Bank of Tonga has received five $50 pa'anga and two $20 pa'anga notes of the new design currency (King Tupou VI series) confirmed to be counterfeit notes.  The Reserve Bank is concerned that there could be more of such $50 and $20 counterfeit notes in circulation.

The National Reserve Bank of Tonga has received three $50 pa'anga notes of the new design currency confirmed to be counterfeit notes. The Reserve Bank is concerned that there could be more of such $50 counterfeit notes in circulation.

The NRBT hosted the MSMEs Workshop on Friday 4th November 2016 to support the development of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) sector through improving their access to finance.

The Alliance for Financial Inclusion’s (AFI) 8th annual Global Policy Forum (GPF), co-hosted by the AFI and the Reserve Bank of Fiji, in Nadi, Fiji on 7th - 9th September 2016 has concluded. This year’s GPF, Building the Pillars of Sustainable Inclusion, was the largest and most diverse forum the AFI Network has ever held.

Governor Kioa is leading a delegation from the National Reserve Bank of Tonga (NRBT) to attend the AFI’s 8th annual Global Policy Forum (GPF) in Nadi, Fiji on 7th - 9th September 2016. This forum is co-hosted by the AFI and the Reserve Bank of Fiji.

The National Reserve Bank of Tonga wishes to assure the public that despite the revocation of the banking licence of Pacific International Commercial Bank (PICB) effective from 26th July 2016, the banking system remains sound.

The Governor of the National Reserve Bank of Tonga (NRBT), Dr. Sione Ngongo Kioa presented to the Members of Parliament (MPs) on 10th June, 2016 an update on the economy including the latest monetary and financial indicators. The monetary policy stance, policy actions by the NRBT and other issues were also discussed.

The Governor Dr Sione Ngongo Kioa announced that the Reserve Bank has completed its annual review of the Exchange Control Policy Guidelines which was approved by the Reserve Bank’s Board of Directors on 31st May 2016. The revisions were based on consultations with the Ministry of Revenue and Customs, banks and authorised foreign exchange dealers and other members of the public.

Effective on 1st July 2016 all banks must work towards progressively achieving a minimum loan/deposit ratio of 80% and a maximum loan to deposit ratio of 90% within 18 months of the effective date.