Tuvalu private sector backs development coordination review

Tuvalu private sector supports peer review of development coordination

Press Release (27/11)
28th April 2011

The private sector in Tuvalu is very supportive of the peer review of the country’s development planning, budgeting and aid coordination systems that is underway in the capital Funafuti.

The Tuvalu Government has invited a peer review team comprising of representatives of the governments of Tonga and Vanuatu as well as UNESCAP to undertake the review this week.

The team is meeting with government ministries, parliamentarians, the private sector, non-government organizations, and development partners resident in Tuvalu as well the partners in Suva, Fiji.

“The Tuvalu National Private Sector Organisation (TNPSO) is very supportive of the peer review process as it brings to the forefront the need for more dialogue between the business sector in Tuvalu and the various Government ministries,” said Saufatu Sopoanga, the President of the TNPSO and a former Prime Minister of Tuvalu.

He added: “The private sector is a very important partner especially in a small and vulnerable economy like that of Tuvalu.”

“As the Prime Minister of Tuvalu when the Pacific Plan was being discussed and finally endorsed in 2005, I commend the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders for continuing to consider mechanisms whereby the four pillars of the Plan are being implemented under such policies or initiatives as the Cairns Compact for Strengthening Development Coordination in the Pacific.”

“I want to believe that whatever the outcome of the peer review is, it will only help improve the relationship between the private sector and the Government of Tuvalu to deliver better services to our people here,” said Mr Sopoanga.

Mr Sopoanga also commended Forum Leaders for establishing the Pacific Islands Private Sector Organisation (PIPSO) as an initiative under the Pacific Plan to assist economic growth in the Forum island countries (FICs).

“PIPSO has been very instrumental in establishing the TNPSO including helping to draft our constitution.”

Tuvalu is the fourth FIC to have volunteered to undertake a peer review of their national planning, budgeting and aid management systems. Other countries that have undertaken peer reviews include Kiribati, Nauru and Vanuatu. The fifth country that has volunteered to undertake the peer review is Niue which will be from 30 May to 3 June 2011.

ENDS

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