Organising the Tongan economy [1]
Friday, June 13, 2008 - 20:21. Updated on Tuesday, July 28, 2015 - 16:12.
The Acting Chairman of the National Economic Development Council (NEDC), Hon. Paul Karalus, allocated $50,000 pa'anga to the Tonga Chamber of Commerce this week for the establishment of a new organisation that can represent the main sectors that contribute to the Tongan economy.
The NEDC was set up last year with a budget of $15 million to fund private sector initiatives.
But the concerns and the needs of the various sectors of the economy need to be brought to the attention of the NEDC and an "umbrella" organization is being set up to bring them together.
The new Sectorial Umbrella Organisation will represent eight main economic sectors of the Tongan economy.
Three sectors that have already been identified are Agriculture, Fisheries and Tourism, but the remaining five are to be identified by the Tonga Chamber of Commerce and Industries Inc who will facilitate the setting up of the umbrella organisation. The Chamber has already contributed $10,000 toward the project.
Paul told a press conference this week that having one body to represent the interest of the main sectors of the economy is important, "because it brings to the council their concerns not only those in Tongatapu but throughout the outer islands."
He said that they are trying to bring together all private sector businesses and operations under one sector, and that sector will come under the umbrella body.
"Each sector organization, through the umbrella organisation could present to the council their financial needs," he said.
Chamber
The President of the Tonga Chamber of Commerce Paula Taumoepeau said a timeline of three to six months has been set to bring together the main economic sectors.
"We are looking at eight main sectors and will select only those that contribute the most to our economy for example tourism, fisheries, agriculture, trading and distribution that will accommodate retailers and wholesalers as well as transport and communication sectors," explained Paula.
A Project Executive officer will be hired soon to overlook the work.
NEDC projects
Since its set up last year, NEDC has assisted the Tonga Export Fisheries Association (TEFA) with $NZD $30,000 to conduct a scoping survey in deep-sea fishing at the depth of 500 to 800 metres. It targets two particular types of fish, the Alfonsino and Bluenose fish.
NEDC also pledged $100,000 pa'anga for Tonga's participation in the Pacific Trade Expo held in Auckland in March earlier this year.
The council is also looking at the possibility of setting up a Trade Commissioner in New Zealand as well as a market centre.