Constrained activities for investors

Under the Foreign Investment Regulations 2021, certain economic activities are subject to investment restrictions. These include:

Land transport services: Operation of buses, taxis, mini vans, and public motor vehicles (excluding those run by short-term accommodation providers).
Short-term accommodation: Guesthouses and youth hostels.
Motor vehicle sales: Retail sale of used motor vehicles.
Food production: Manufacture of bread (excluding for in-house guests of short-term accommodation services).
Fishing & fish processing: Lagoon, reef, and coastal fishing (within 12 nautical miles and under 1,000m depth); bottom fishing (under 500m depth); and fish processing, except factory vessels solely processing fish.
Agricultural exports: Export of green and mature coconuts.
Cultural activities: Traditional Tongan creative arts and entertainment.

Commercial & industrial fishing: Industrial-scale tuna fishing (bigeye, albacore, yellowfin, skipjack), bottom fishing (depth > 500m), and other deep-water fishing (depth ≥ 100m).
Conditions: Minimum 30% equity held by Tongan national, and at least USD 500k in capital (cash), fully brought into Tonga within the implementation period.
Retail Trade (Non-specialised Stores): Predominantly selling food, beverages, or tobacco.
Condition: At least USD 250,000 in capital (cash), fully brought into Tonga within the implementation period.
Specific agricultural & forestry activities: Growing of squash, pandanus, kava, and forestry (paper mulberry, sandalwood).
Conditions: Minimum 30% equity held by Tongan national, and at least USD 250,000 in capital (cash), fully brought into Tonga within the implementation period.