Results for Development

The Tonga Development Bank has won international recognition for offering financial services that are supporting small income generating projects among disadvantaged and low-income earners in Tonga.

A major $66 million upgrade of the domestic wharf in Nuku'alofa to be completed by 2018, was launched today with a groundbreaking by HM King Tupou VI, who was accompanied by Queen Nanasipau'u. The project funded as a part of Japan's grant aid will include the extension of the domestic wharf and the building of a terminal for passengers and cargo.

A new independent Tongan based think tank, named the Royal Oceania Institute (ROI) was launched today, Thursday 31 March in Nuku’alofa, and aims to advance fact-based research, analysis and foster open dialogue on topics relevant to the community.

New Zealand’s future development assistance to Tonga will be focused on energy, law and justice, education and skills development, and economic development, as an outcome of consultations completed in Tonga today, with New Zealand’s Deputy Secretary for International Development, Jonathan Kings and the Tonga Government. New Zealand anticipates investing approximately TOP$112 million (NZD$75 million) in development assistance to Tonga over the next three years.

The Government of Japan has committed over $600,000 pa'anga to fund four community projects that will upgrade water supplies and classrooms in Tongatapu and Ha’apai.

An additional US$4 million funding has been approved by the World Bank's Board of Executive Directors to improve and strengthen Tonga's transport sector.

Rev. Dr Tevita Havea has been reappointed as the Chairman of the National Retirement Benefit Fund (NRBF) by the Minister of Finance, Dr ‘Aisake Eke, to lead the organisation for another three years as of 1 September 2015.

Tonga's Minister of Finance Hon. Dr ‘Aisake Eke says construction of facilities for the 2019 Pacific Games in Tonga will start next year, 2016.

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.