Australia has provided a further AUD$5 million to support Tonga’s formal and informal business sector impacted by COVID-19.

The funding is part of Australia’s AUD$304.7 million Pacific COVID-19 Response Package, targeting Tonga’s tourism, agriculture, fisheries, retail and wholesale, and manufacturing industries.

Funding will be directed to Tonga’s COVID-19 Business Recovery Assistance Program, delivered by the Ministry of Trade and Economic Development (MTED) and the Ministry of Finance.

Tonga's Minister for Trade and Economic Development, Hon. Tatafu Moeaki acknowledged Australia’s support, noting that a resilient private sector would help to minimise the negative impacts of the global pandemic.

Australia’s Acting High Commissioner, Mr Nicholas Murphy, sees this support as necessary financing to directly assist Tongan business owners, both formal and informal.

In June, Australia donated AUD$12.05m to Tonga to help overcome the economic impacts of COVID-19.