Tonga is to delay signing to become a full member of the World Trade Organisation until next year.
The Prime Minister, Dr Feleti Seveli, says he asked the committee looking after the agreement to day Tonga's membership for another year.
He says the delay is to ensure certain laws are enacted and other issues
in the country are addressed.
Dr Sevele says Tonga can become a full member now but the government wants issues such as the redundancies for public servants and the final payment of a salary rise for those remaining to be tidied up.
