A NEW Agro Building Complex and a renovated Tu'imatamoana Fish Market should be a booster for the enthusiasm of Tongan growers and fishermen to export more of their produces overseas, the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Lord Vaea said at the opening of the complex on the seafront in Nuku'alofa on January 27.

The Princess Regent, Princess Pilolevu officially opened the $7 million facility that was funded by the European Union under its Stabex Program.

Tevita Puloka of the Group Construction Ltd. that built the Agro Complex said the Fumigation Building has a total floor area of 296 square metres and the Post Harvest and Agro-Processing Facilities building has 698 square metres, consisting of a working area for blast freezer and cooler, a room for food processing, offices, a board room and a laboratory.

A representative of the EU Ms Fiona Ramsey was in Tonga for the occasion. She said that Stabex aimed to improve the livelihood of Tongans, enhance economic growth and increase agricultural production.

Vava'u

Earlier in the week a smaller complex was opened by the Minister of Finance, Hon. Sunia Fili in Neiafu, Vava'u, while the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, Lord Vaea also launched a slipway for small fishing boats in Neiafu.