Results for Development

TOP$5.6 million in aid has been promised to Tonga under a new agreement between the Tonga Government and the Government of the People's Republic of China that was signed in Nuku'alofa today, March 4. Under the agreement for Economic and Technical Cooperation the aid funds amounting to RMB 20 million may be used for projects that are yet to be agreed upon by both governments. The Prime Minister, Lord Tu'ivakano, and the Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to Tonga, H.E Mr. Wang Donghua, signed the Agreement of Economic and Technical Cooperation on behalf of their respective governments this morning. H.E. Mr Wang Donghua said that his country valued the friendship with Tonga and that, "China has provided Tonga with a grant and hopes it will benefit the Tongan people". Lord Tu'ivakano thanked the Ambassdor and said that the grants were given to Tonga due to a journey of King George Tupou V to Beijing, and were offered for economic development. "There are projects which this grant can be used for and it is needed," he said. However, they had not yet decided which projects would receive funding under the agreement. A statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs today said that Tonga's Ministry of Finance and National Planning and the China Development Bank would handle the disbursement procedures.

New Zealand has committed $5.2 million pa'anga over three years to support the development of tourism in Tonga by funding the development of marketing activities and heritage sites to supporting community-based tourism association projects.

The $30 million reconstruction of Vuna Wharf in Nuku'alofa is on track to be completed in a year's time by January 2012, according to Charles Nepia the Project Engineer for the Nuku'alofa Reconstruction Project. Photos by Charles Nepia

Eight volunteers from Japan began a two year working experience in Tonga on Monday, October 25 and share their knowledge in fields such as early childhood education, electronic engineering and fine arts.

A new modern Vaini Community Police Station constructed at a cost of $980,000 pa'anga was opened on September 8, the first to be built under a Tonga Police Redevelopment Program.

The berths for inter-island ferries at Queen Salote Wharf will undergo a $140,000 upgrade in preparation for the expected arrival of the new inter island ferry, MV 'Otuanga'ofa from Japan on October 20.

The Government of Japan has today committed a total of $38 million pa'anga to Tonga, for construction that includes a new Outpatient Department, Dental Unit and Nursing School, and solar power for Vaiola Hospital in Tongatapu.

The European Union has agreed to provide a grant worth TOP$24 million to support Tonga's budget and improve its electricity distribution network to rural areas.

Wwork on the final draft of the Tonga Energy Road Map 2010-20, was concluded on Friday April 9 with the signing of the Minutes of a meeting on the Tonga Energy Road Map that ran from April 7-9 at the Fa'onelua Convention Center, Nuku'alofa.