ADB Board Group Visit to Tonga: 25-29 October 2016 ^Featured

Minister for Finance and National Planning Hon. ‘Aisake Eke stated that “Government welcomes the ADB Board Group visit to mark the ADB’s 50th Anniversary and provide first hand opportunities for the Board to learn more about ADB operations in Tonga, and to gain better insight into the country's development progress, achievements, and challenges.

More important for the Board members to consider how the ADB can best support the Government of Tonga’s development priorities.” 

2. The six-member delegation will be led by the United State of America’s Executive Director Ms. Swati Dandekar, accompanied by Assistant Executive Directors, Mr. Mario Di Maio, Mr. Joar Strand, Mr. Johannes Schneider, Mr. Sharafjon Sheraliev, Mr. Masashi Tanabe and Tonga’s Adviser to the ADB, Ms. Lesieli Tufui Faletau.

The visiting group is scheduled to meet with the Prime Minister Hon. ‘Akilisi Pohiva, Deputy Prime Minister Hon. Siaosi Sovaleni and the Minister for Finance and National Planning Hon. ‘Aisake Eke on Wednesday 26 October 2016. A number of roundtable discussions with various stakeholders including development partners, private sector and NGOs are also arranged for the visit.

3. The group will also visit ADB funded projects including the Tonga-Fiji Submarine Cable, Tonga Water Sub-project under the Nuku’alofa Urban Development Project and the Outer Island Solar Farm under construction in Pangai Ha’apai.

The ADB Board group will also join the commissioning of the Reconstructed Ha’apai High School on Thursday 28 October 2016 and also visit the Ha’ano Primary School both damaged by Cyclone Ian back in January 2014.

4. The ADB group is scheduled to depart from Tonga to Fiji on Saturday 29 October 2016. The Ministry of Finance and National Planning on behalf of the Government of Tonga will facilitate the ADB board group visit.

-Ministry of Finance and National Planning