Tonga is interested in upgrading its diplomatic presence in the Arabian Peninsula by establishing an embassy at Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, HE Saleh Ahmed Alsuwaidi, UAE Ambassador to Tonga, said in Nuku'alofa, last week.

At present, Tonga’s diplomatic representative at the UAE is the King of Tonga’s Special Envoy, Hon. ‘Akau’ola.

The UAE Ambassador is based in Wellington, New Zealand, also covering Tonga, Fiji and Tuvalu.

While in Nuku’alofa, he attended a ground breaking ceremony on 14 November, at Pahu to mark the beginning of a multi-million pa'anga Nuku’alofa Power Network Upgrade Project.

The project is jointly funded by three donors: the New Zealand Government with NZD$11m, the Asian Development Bank USD$6.8m and the United Arab Emirates with USD$3.5m.

The UAE is contributing to Tonga’s efforts to achieve its goal, that by 2020, 50% of our electricity will be from renewable energy sources. In November 2013, a TOP$4.7m solar farm in Neiafu Vava’u, the La’a Lahi Solar Farm, was also handed over to the Tongan government.

At the Tanoa Hotel, last week, HE Saleh Ahmed Alsuwaidi also presented Sina Kami, from the Tae Kami Foiundation with $USD10,000 to assist young handicapped children. The Foundation, named for Tae Kami who passed away in 2008 at the age of 15 from cancer, will mark its 10^th anniversary this year.

UAE nationals can visit and stay in the Kingdom for 60 days visa free.

During a recent visit to Dubai in October, King Tupou VI visited a site where the EXPO 2020 will be held. It was confirmed that Tonga will have its own pavilion in the “Opportunities Sector” at the Expo 2020.