ADB to aid displaced sugar & garment industries of Fiji Islands

04 Apr '06

3 min read

ADB (Asian Development Bank) is going to expand its assistance program to Fiji Islands to improve the strategic value of its assistance and to promote new growth opportunities.

For 2006-2008, ADB lending is now programmed at about $220 million for five projects that would upgrade roads, develop rural and outer islands, rehabilitate airports, and develop the natural resource base and renewable energy sources, according to its new Country Strategy and Program (CSP) Update.

This will be accompanied by a grant program comprising 12 technical assistance projects totaling $8.15 million that will strengthen partnerships with the Government and help prepare loan projects.

“ADB's updated strategy focuses on building public sector reforms, supporting private sector development, overcoming infrastructure bottlenecks and supporting structural change in the economy by developing alternative livelihoods,” says Sirpa Jarvenpaa, ADB's Country Director based in the South Pacific Subregional Office in the Fiji Islands.

“The proposed assistance could be further increased, subject to progress in the country's fiscal and policy reforms and improvement of the investment climate.”

“As a central focus, ADB will continue work to expand private sector participation in the economy, particularly through the development of private public partnerships and supporting reforms that improve the enabling environment for private investment, and through initiatives that would promote structural changes toward alternative livelihoods and reforms in the state-owned enterprises and utilities,” adds Phillip Erquiaga, Director General of ADB's Pacific Department.

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