Quarter of businesses in Pacific fear they will not survive Covid-19 pandemic

Region that has so far avoided worst of outbreak still suffering economic fallout, with reports of theft and need for food handouts soaring

A quarter of businesses in the Pacific are not confident they will survive the coronavirus pandemic despite the region largely avoiding the pandemic health crises seen elsewhere, a survey of businesses across the region shows.

Ninety per cent of businesses have lost money, and many are already struggling with the effects of recent natural disasters. Sixty-five per cent have been negatively impacted" by weather, including extreme rainfall or temperatures, flooding, drought or rising sea levels over the past year, a further survey by Pacific Trade Invest Australia found.

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