The Hon. Minister for Finance, Tiofilusi Tiueti, met with Ms. Reehana Rifat Raza, Regional Director for the Asia and Pacific Division of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). It is the Regional Director’s first visit to Tonga.
The meeting discussed the progress and status of the existing IFAD-funded project in Tonga, namely the Tonga Rural Innovation Project Phase II (TRIP II), currently implemented by MORDI Tonga Trust. Hon. Tiueti expressed the Government's appreciation for the concessional financial supports provided by IFAD since 1983 which amounted to about US$16.8m. And is looking forward to continuing working in close collaboration to empower and improve the livelihood of Tongans, especially the rural communities.
Ms. Raza re-affirmed IFAD's commitment to continue supporting Tonga. She was accompanied by Mr. Candra Samekto, IFAD Country Director for the Pacific Island Countries, and Tamara Nicodeme, PIRAS Regional Coordinator.
IFAD had been providing numerous concessional financial supports to Tonga since 1983 through Outer Islands, Rural, and Agricultural Credit and Financial Services and later the TRIP I and the current TRIP II programs. The assistance has benefitted more than 18,000 households in Tonga with the TRIP II project developed 153 community development plans and continue to implementing those plans in co-financing with other development partners.
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