King Tupou VI opens the 2013 session of the Tonga Legislative Assembly. Nuku'alofa, 13 June, 2013.

Tonga needs to find ways to boost the local economy, said HM King Tupou VI when he opened the 2013 Session of the Legislative Assembly of Tonga at Parliament House, on June 13.

King Tupou VI said the global economic crisis remains in a precarious situation and Tonga needed to implement  more work to protect its economy from any adverse impact. "The essence of development in a country is its economic growth and I support all the work being carried out to enable closer working relationships between stakeholders for the development of our economic and social sectors," he said.

Development

The king envisaged that economic growth in Tonga could be accelerated through the promotion and improvement in six areas that he listed, including the use of renewable energy for sustainable development. 

He noted the work currently being done to help reduce Tonga's vulnerability to the fluctuations in the price of  fossil fuels and encouraged the use of more renewable energy sources  to reduce Tonga's dependence on imported fuel. "The use of renewable energy can create more opportunities for people while improving their livelihoods and development," he said.

The king also stressed that more work was needed to help the people of Tonga. He commended the Social Benefits Scheme for the Elderly that was recently set up and he thought it might be extended to also benefit students and disabled people, despite Tonga's limited financial means.

Private Sector

He said another area to be improved included regulations for businesses "so as not to overburden them but at the same time to still maintain the high standard required of new businesses."

He hoped the improved regulations could assist the manufacture and processing industries to create more job opportunities, while expecting a boost in tourism with the establishment of a Tourism Authority. He acknowledged challenges currently faced by the fisheries and agriculture sectors in Tonga.

The king encouraged the improvement of Vocational Training in Tonga, particularly the upgrade of the Tonga Maritime Polytechnic Institute, which he sees could assist students to have a better chance of securing jobs. "It will also provide an opportunity for students to pursue further studies and get higher qualifications to secure jobs not only in Tonga but abroad."

The king acknowledged the Seasonal Labour Workers program to New Zealand and Australia for Tongan fruit-pickers. He expected as Tongans learned new skills and gained further knowledge it would assist the country in the future. He hoped the program would continue to assist and encourage Tongan labour workers who wanted to learn and gain more expert knowledge in the program.

He noted the work done by the Retirement Benefits Fund that helps the social development in Tonga.

King Tupou VI thanked the governments of Australia, Japan, New Zealand and China with the European Union, World Bank and the Asian Development Bank for their continued support to develop Tonga.

Parliament is expected to start its session on Monday, June 17.