Government hosts 3RD Annual Business Opportunity Seminar to boost private sector opportunities in Tonga

Government hosts 3RD Annual Business Opportunity Seminar to boost private sector opportunities in Tonga

NUKU’ALOFA, 21st September, 2022 Business directors and managers of various contractors, vendors and suppliers from the private sector in Tonga participated in the 3rd Annual Business Opportunity Seminar (BOS), for World Bank and Asian Development Bank (ADB) projects in Tonga.
This is the third time, that this seminar has taken place in the country, hosted by the Ministry of Finance on behalf of Government. It is a Government initiative to strengthen a two-way communications with private sector on business opportunties that are available from the WB and ADB funded projects to enhance local businesses preparedness for these opportunities.
“Private sector development is a government priority in efforts to pursue sustainable progressive growth especially after the recent impacts of COVID-19 and the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai volcanic eruption and tsunami,” said the Acting Prime Minister and Acting Minister of Finance for Tonga, Hon. Samiu Kuita Vaipulu at today’s event. “This Joint Government initiative will strengthen private sector businesses awareness and knowledge of the opportunities available, processes and pathways for them to get access and benefits from these development projects.”
Other donor agencies and development partners present at the seminar included World Bank’s Country Liaison Officer in Tonga, Natalia Latu; Senior Country Officer and Head of ADB office, Balwyn Fa’otusia, Runte Likiafu, Representative of the Government of Australia, were present, Acting Chief Executive Officer for Ministry of Finance, representing the Executiing Agencies of Projects, Lesieli Tufui Faletau along with Government representatives from the Implementing Agencies. The Programme Manager of the Central service Unit (CSU) Siosaia Faletau, and the various Project Managers of WB and ADB projects were the lead facilitators of this seminar.
Representatives from the Chamber of Commerce and business communities were appreciative of this BOS initiative and because of smallness of Tonga in size, the lack of financial and capacity resources there is need to be more strategic in the collaborations to strengthen private sector capacity to capitalize on business opportunities the projects offer.
The Tongan Government will continue to strengthen this partnership through the dissemination of critical information on its website, and identifying further training support to enhance the small business capabilities to bid for these development project opportunities. The seminar was a full day programme, with interactions of questions, interventions, and responses by Project Managers and specialists.

Ministry of Finance, Government of Tonga.

Front Seat from the Right to Left: Runte Likiafu, DFAT representative, Rev. Sela Tu’ilatailakepa, Natalia Palu Latu, World Bank Liaison Officer, Lesieli Tufui Faletau, Acting Chief Executive Officer, Acting Prime Minister of Tonga and Acting Minister of Finance, Hon. Samiu Kuita Vaipulu(middle), Balwyn Fa’otusia, Senior Country Officer and ADB Unit Head in Tonga, Siosaia Faletau, Programme Manager, Central Service Unit, Fine Moala and all facilitators the Government Project Management Units.