Tonga's assistant to the Minister of Labour, Commerce and Industries, Utita Tekiteki, says new foreign investment regulations are well overdue.
The Foreign Investment Act 2002 came into force on April 1 this year.
The new Act reserves certain business activities for Tongans, including certain types of fishing, retailing activities and the farming of root crops.
Ms Tekiteki says it's a good thing, as long as its administered properly and Tongans take up those reserved businesses opportunities successfully.
And she says there is now a Restricted List under the Act, consisting of other business activities that foreign investors can operate.
"I think the Act is good in the sense that it allows transparency for foreigners. I mean they are able to know before they come into Tonga, what activities are open for them and what activities they can come and invest in and will be granted a business license in that area."
Tonga's assistant to the Minister of Labour, Commerce and Industries, Utita Tekiteki.
