A Market Development Facility will be established in Tonga with an estimated value of activities worth around AU$3.8 million, in its initial four-year phase.

The Minister for Trade and Economic Development, Hon. Viliami Uasike Latu and Australia's High Commissioner, H.E. Rachael Moore signed a subsidiary arrangement, on 30 January 2023 in Nuku'alofa.

The MDF is a multi-country initiative which promotes sustainable economic development through higher incomes for women and men in partner countries. It connects individuals, businesses, governments and NGOs with each other, and with markets at home and abroad.

In Tonga, MDF is to be implemented (until June 2027) with an estimated value of activities at AU$3.8 million. 

MDF is currently active in Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Sri Lanka, Timor Leste and Vanuatu funded by Australia and New Zealand and implemented by Palladium, in partnership with Swisscontact, stated the Ministry of Trade and Economic Development.

The program will now start recruiting local staff.

MDF works in the region to boost employment and income opportunities in priority sectors such as agribusiness and tourism.