Tonga signs US$27m agreement to improve aviation safety [1]
Tuesday, February 21, 2012 - 13:08. Updated on Friday, May 2, 2014 - 16:06.
On February 17 the World Bank and the Government of Tonga signed a US$27 million grant to make air travel safer and more efficient for people travelling to and from Tonga. The investment is part of the World Bank's regional Pacific Aviation Investment Program, and will support rehabilitation of Fua'amotu International Airport and Vava'u airport to ensure both meet minimum international safety and security standards.
"Greater regional integration offers considerable potential for the Pacific islands and is critical to connect Tonga's population of 100,000 people to jobs, services and markets overseas, but this will depend to a large extent on safe and effective air transport" said Ferid Belhaj, the World Bank Country Director responsible for Timor Lester, Papua New Guinea and the Pacific Island Countries. "The World Bank is proud to be helping connect Tongan people, businesses and Government with the region and the world, and encourage tourism and new visitors to Tonga."
"I am pleased that the World Bank is significantly scaling up assistance to Tonga" said Minister for Finance and National Planning The Hon. Sunia Fili M.P., who signed the grant agreement on behalf of the Government of Tonga. "As well as improving transport links and safety, this investment will help to provide jobs for Tongan citizens at a time when the Kingdom, as with many small and remote island countries, is suffering from the global economic slowdown."
Focusing initially on Tonga, Kiribati and Tuvalu, the Pacific Aviation Investment Program is being supported by the International Development Association, the World Bank's fund for the poorest countries, which will provide a total of over US$60 million for the three countries. Australia is also providing $3 million in funding for the project through the Pacific Region Infrastructure Facility (PRIF).
The Pacific Aviation Investment Program will support the rehabilitation of airport runways and terminals at both Fua'amotu and Vava'u airports as well as installing new navigation aids, safety and security equipment. Tonga Airports Limited will not only coordinate investments in Tonga, but will also play a key role supporting investment in Tuvalu and Kiribati.
The World Bank Group is significantly increasing support for the Kingdom of Tonga. Total investments in Tonga in 2011-12 will reach over US$50 million, more than since Tonga country joined the World Bank in 1982. As well as investments in aviation safety, the World Bank is supporting Government macro-economic reform efforts, working with the Asian Development Bank to finance a broadband cable to provide high speed internet access, providing housing to villagers in Niuatoputapu affected by the tsunami, and working with the Australian Government to finance road maintenance and rehabilitation. All World Bank assistance to Tonga is provided on 100% grant terms. - World Bank, 17 February 2012.