Exchange of Notes on Japan’s assistance to Tonga’s Ministry of Fisheries Featured
Honourable Hu‘akavameiliku, Prime Minister of Tonga andHis Excellency Mr. MUNENAGA Kensaku, Ambassador of Japan to Tonga
30 May, 2022. His Excellency Mr. MUNENAGA Kensaku, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Tonga and Honourable Hu‘akavameiliku, Prime Minister of Tonga signed on the Exchange of Notes on Japan’s Non Project Grant Aid for the provision of equipment to Tonga’s Ministry of Fisheries on Friday, 27 May 2022, at the Cabinet Room, Nuku‘alofa.
Attended the signing ceremony were Hon. Poasi Tei, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for MEIDECC, Hon. Fekitamoeloa ‘Utoikamanu, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Tourism, and Hon. Sangster Saulala, Minister for Internal Affairs, Dr. Tu’ikolongahau Halafihi, CEO for the Ministry of Fisheries and Staff of the Ministry of Fisheries, along with Government Officials.
In addressing the occasion, H.E. Mr. MUNENAGA said Japan’s assistance, “is to assist the recovery process of the Ministry of Fisheries from the disasters under the Non-Project Grant Aid, NPGA. It is worth $150million Japanese YEN and will provide useful equipment requested by the Ministry of Fisheries, such as new equipment for the Fisheries Mari-culture Center, a variety of vessels and boast and so forth.”
“I hope and I am rather confident that this NPGA will support Tonga’s Fisheries industry and put it on the right track to recovery or rather, on the better way to its development. I trust that this assistance will encourage the affected people and communities of the fisheries industry,” said the Ambassador.
Tonga’s fisheries sector was severely affected by the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Haapai tsunami, with the reported damage to have cost about 21.6million pa’anga.
Hon. Hu’akavameiliku, Prime Minister expressed gratitude to the Ambassador and the People and Government of Japan. “Fish and fisheries are an integral part of most societies and Tonga is heavily dependent on its fisheries and ocean resources for their basic livelihood, for food, transport, economic development and culture. Tonga is grateful to Japan for lending extra assistance to ensure the sustainable development of fisheries resources and support active participants in the fisheries sector,” he said.
Japan’s NPGA have benefitted many Government Ministries of Tonga, funding multimillion worth of equipment, promoting economic and social development of recipient ministries.
