The construction of a new Tonga government office building, St George Palace at Pangai Si’i in the Central Business District was completed on 17 May, but no date has been confirmed for the opening.

The handover certificate was signed on 22 June by Deputy Prime Minister Hon Siaosi Sovaleni and the new Chinese Ambassador to Tonga, HE Mr. Wang Baodong.

The $28 million pa'anga project, has a floor area of around 5745m2, to accomodate the Prime Minister's Office, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Finance and National Planning and other government ministries.

Furniture and kitchen equipment will also be provided.

The work began on November 18, 2015 and construction was completed earlier than the proposed date of 31 August.

Over 90 percent of the utilities commission testing has been completed, including fire emergency and health issues. After a joint inspection, both parties unanimously agreed that the building met the requirement for acceptance, Tonga's Information Deparment stated today.

Shanghai Construction Group Company Ltd. carried out the construction work, using workers who came from China