Asian Development Bank

RNZ reports the high cost of living means many people struggle to meet basic needs.

The ADB points out that there is also a lack of access to basic infrastructure, services and utilities and low levels of employment or income generating opportunities.

Of 14 Pacific countries the Marshall Islands population is the most poor, with just over half its people living below the national poverty line.

Tonga's closest neighbours, Fiji, has 31% of its population living below the poverty line and Samoa 26.9%.

Vanuatu has the lowest poverty statistics at 12.7%.

Advance copies of Finding Balance 2016, the latest edition of ADB’s landmark assessment of Pacific SOEs’ performance, were shared at the Pacific Update Conference at the University of South Pacific, Fiji.

The report finds SOE portfolios in the eight Pacific countries examined contributed only 1.8% to 12% to gross domestic product, despite their very large asset base, ongoing government cash transfers, and monopoly market positions. It also finds productivity levels of the SOEs tend to be well below developed country benchmarks.                                             

“ADB is the largest investor in renewable energy in the Pacific, which is still heavily reliant on diesel for power generation,” said Michael Trainor, Energy Specialist in ADB’s Pacific Department. “We are working with governments and communities to improve the quantity and quality of energy services across the region by ramping up support for the transition to renewable energy.”

RNZI reports the ADB is giving a grant of US$2 million dollars and Australia US$1.8 million.

The Bank says it is aiming to support critical reforms for more efficient and sustainable public service delivery.

The program will help improve public financial management and boost the performance of the state-owned power company.

The country relies on unpredictable and volatile revenue sources, such as fishing fees, licensing fees for its ".tv" internet domain, and development assistance, making fiscal sustainability a challenge.

The bank's director for the Pacific Subregional Office, Robert Jauncey, says the policy reform programme hopes to promote public procurement policies and regulations to address these challenges.

The government hopes to support public enterprise reforms and maximise government efficiency and transparency.

He made the comment during a recent visit to Fiji and cited key priorities Pacific Opportunities: Leveraging Asia's Growth that would strengthen Pacific Island countries' links with Asian countries.

On shipping, Takehiko said, initial experience in Vanuatu and Solomon Islands suggested that subsidising the private sector on a competitive basis to undertake shipping routes to remote communities could be a better approach than through inefficient state-owned enterprises.

On his first official visit to Fiji,  Nakao also called on Attorney General and Finance Minister Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum and Foreign Affairs Minister Ratu Inoke Kubuabola. Discussions focused on ways ADB can further enhance its support for Fiji to meet its development priorities.    

Nakao’s programme also included a visit to the ADB-supported Kinoya wastewater treatment plant near Suva and an official address at the University of the South Pacific (USP), where he discussed potential opportunities and policy priorities for Pacific island countries.

President Nakao made the statement Friday in his public lecture at the University of the South Pacific on “Pacific Islands: Development Opportunities and policies priorities.

“ADB recognises the diversity of the Pacific. The region has over 800 languages. Pacific Island economies are very different. But a regional approach to common challenges can benefit all.

“Pacific Island leaders will be discussing a new framework for Pacific regionalism at the Forum Leaders meeting in Port Moresby in early September. ADB stands ready to support their key priorities,” he stressed.

Emma Veve of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) says commodity exporters like Papua New Guinea will feel the effects of lower prices for their products and preparations must be made for this.

Veve says there will be a slow down in the number of outbound tourists from China but the market is so huge countries dependent on the China trade like Fiji and Palau will barely feel the shock.

She says the devaluation of the yuan eases the way for countries heavily reliant on imported fuel and concessionary Chinese loans.

Those taking part included Mari Alkatiri, President of the Oecusse Special Economic Zone, and Richard Phelps, Principal Infrastructure Specialist, ADB.

“This next phase will continue the push to reduce the incidence of water-related diseases, to deliver 24-hour supplies to target urban areas, and to lessen the workload of women who currently bear the brunt of water collection activities,” said Phelps at the ceremony.