Results for Development

When HM King Taufa‘ahau Tupou IV unveiled a plaque to mark the beginning of a $9 million upgrading and expansion of the International Dateline Hotel on December 22, it also marked the first investment in Tonga by a Chinese company, the Janfull Investments Ltd. - Matangi Tonga Magazine, Vol. 16, no. 3, December 2001.

Twenty-five years ago it was estimated that 6,000 males over the age of 16 years had no land. Today, the number of landless Tongans has swelled to over 10,000. The number will continue to increase, as it is no longer possible for estate owners and government to give land to every 16-year-old Tongan, as required by the Land Act of 1903. From Matangi Tonga Magazine, Vol. 16, no. 2, September 2001.

An on-line direct link between the Tongan Police, the Interpol and five other Pacific island countries will be established soon under a $210,506 project that was approved at the 66th General Assembly of the Interpol in New Delhi last year. From Matangi Tonga Magazine, Vol. 16, no. 1, June 2001.

The settlement of Patangata in eastern Nuku‘alofa, right next to Tukutonga, the capital’s rubbish dump, has long been an example of urbanisation gone wrong, because of its unkempt and makeshift dwellings. From Matangi Tonga Magazine, Vol. 16, no. 1, June 2001.

The $20 million that has been invested in the development of infrastructure in Vava’u during the past 15 years, will enable this part of the country to exploit its full potential in tourism, agriculture and fisheries. From Matangi Tonga Magazine Vol. 15, no. 2, June 2000.

The concept of Free Trade according to ‘Aisake Eke, Tonga’s Chief Accountant and the Secretary for Finance, is based on a belief, “that Free Trade will bring about economic growth, because of a bigger market”.

The Tonga Chamber of Commerce believes that Tonga should become a signatory to the regional Free Trade Area, and become a member of the World Trade Organisation as soon as possible, said the Chamber president, Paul Karalus. From Matangi Tonga Magazine Vol. 14, no. 3, July 1999.

The Kingdom of Tonga is expected to become the 188th member of the United Nations in September, when its application for membership will be tabled at the United Nations General Assembly.

Free Trade, says Sioeli Matoto, the Deputy Secretary for the Ministry of Labour, Commerce, Trade and Industry, “sounds appealing, and sounds like a very good idea, but it is difficult to put into practice, because every country wants to protect their own interest.”