Attendees of the Tongan Cabinet half-day retreat held at the Fa'onelua Convention Center in Nuku'alofa.

The Tongan Cabinet's half-day Retreat on Friday, 14 February, under the theme  "Partnership - Government and People in building the economy and society" was hosted by the Prime Minister, Lord Tu’ivakano and was attended by Cabinet Ministers, their Chief Executive and members of the private sector.

Two Cabinet Ministers were unable to attend the retreat, the Minister of Land, Environment, Climate Change and Natural Resources, Lord Ma'afu who was in Ha'apai, and the Minister of Commerce, Tourism and Labour, Hon. Dr Viliami Latu, who was in Geneva, Switzerland.

The purpose of the retreat, according to a statement from the Prime Minister's Office, "was to provide constructive solutions that will charter a way forward for the year ahead."

The gathering was to enable attendants to reflect on the achievements of the current administration since it came into power at the end of 2010, and to identify what more it could do "to enable a smooth transition for the next government administration in the upcoming general election of November 2014."

There was a presentation by the Ministry of Finance and National Planning on the current social and economic development indicators in Tonga. 

There were also presentations by guest speakers from private sector enterprises who were invited to participate in this year's government retreat.

‘Etimoni Palu from Pacific Enterprise spoke on fisheries development.

Tsutomu Nakao spoke on agricultural development for export.

Saia Moehau the President of the Tonga Tourist Association, spoke on tourism development.

Aloma Johannson the President of the Tonga Chamber of Commerce and Industry, presented on commerce, industries and economic development.

Dr ‘Ana Koloto, the Director of the USP Tonga Campus, spoke on social responsibility of government with examples from the higher education sector.

The outcome of the retreat was the introduction of a 'Strategic Agenda' document by the Prime Minister, that will guide the last year term for the current government's administration.