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Some 22.5% of Tonga’s population - or over 23,200 people live below the national poverty line, according to the Asian Development Bank's latest statistics released yesterday. The high cost of living as well as lack of access to basic infrastructure, services and utilities and the lack of employment or opportunities to generate income make it difficult for people to meet their basic needs.

Tonga has received a $3 million grant and a $3 million loan approved by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to strengthen long-term economic growth and to have the capacity to respond to external economic shocks such as those caused by natural disasters.

New climate resilient buildings for twelve schools that have been rebuilt and refurbished in Ha’apai after being badly damaged by Tropical Cyclone Ian in 2014, were handed over to the Tonga government last week on 26 February.

Businesses in Tongatapu and Vava'u can now pay their PAYE tax and Consumption Tax online, thanks to a new revenue management system known as "RMS7", that was launched by the Australian Deputy High Commissioner, Ms Sophie Temby this morning, 30 October at Tonga's Ministry of Revenue and Customs office, Hala Lelue, Nuku’alofa.

A training program to help professional women reach leadership positions was launched in Nuku’alofa on 25 August by the Asian Development Bank in Nuku’alofa.

An Asian Development Bank report noted that Tonga, a country of about 176 islands, is one of the most vulnerable countries in the Pacific to climate change, and that the ADB is supporting the Tongan Government's efforts to build up the country’s resilience to natural disasters and assisting with its renewable energy goals.

Tonga's Public Service Association (PSA) is threatening a strike on Friday October 17 demanding that the Tongan government agree to a 20-22% salary rise for Civil Servants. Government has stressed in a statement this week that it cannot afford any further pay rises this year.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is weeding out corruption from its development projects, barring any firm or individual it believes is cheating development projects.

The rescheduling of Tonga's T$119 million loan from China for the reconstruction of Nuku'alofa has not been decided, according to Xu Zhiguang, the first Secretary of the Chinese Embassy, Nuku'alofa this afternoon, December 3.