Pacific news in brief for March 17

Vanuatu – aid relief

Vanuatu’s Prime Minister Ishmael Kalsakau has received the first cyclone relief supplies from China’s Ambassador in Vanuatu, Li Minggang, at Port Vila International Airport on Thursday.

China said the supplies, which include medical equipment, are worth more than US$876,000.

They were delivered on a Russian aircraft.

FRANZ, the group comprising donor countries France, Australia, and New Zealand, provided the initial relief supplies following the impact of Cyclones Judy and Kevin on Vanuatu two weeks ago.

RNZ Pacific’s correspondent in Vanuatu reports the Food Security and Agriculture Cluster began distributing emergency relief supplies to the offshore islands of Efate on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, South Korea will provide humanitarian assistance worth $US200,000 to Vanuatu.

Seoul’s foreign ministry said it hopes this assistance will help Vanuatuans affected by the cyclones to swiftly return to their daily lives and recover from the damage.

PNG – economy

The PNG Manufacturers’ Council says the main reason for the flatlining economy in Papua New Guinea is likely the prolonged delay in the opening of government accounts.

Chief executive officer Chey Scovell said in any country the biggest customer is the government and the PNG government has not spent any money this year.

He told the Post Courier domestic economic activity was down as much as 20 percent over the past eight weeks.

He said the actions of the State, or lack thereof, significantly influence the market.

Solomon Islands – New Zealand

The New Zealand Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committee Delegation currently visiting Honiara has met Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare.

Chairperson Jenny Salesa said the purposes of the visit included informing the committee’s inquiry into fisheries in the Pacific, and gaining insights into Solomon Islands’ covid-19 response.

The office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet said the visit was also to discuss the RSE scheme with New Zealand.

Salesa said New Zealand’s development partnership with Solomon Islands is based on an understanding of shared priorities and results that the Solomons want to achieve.

Tonga – politics

The Speaker of the Tongan Parliament, Lord Fakafanua, has become the first Pacific MP to be elected to the Board of the Inter-Parliamentary Union Forum of Young Parliamentarians.

Lord Fakafanua was among 40 speakers and over 140 delegates attending the Inter Parliamentary Union’s 146th Assembly in Bahrain this week.

He was nominated for the position by the Asia-Pacific Group of Parliamentarians.

According to Matangi Tonga, as the youngest Speaker of a National Parliament, Lord Fakafanua won 10 votes from member states against six for Iran and two for Nepal.

Following his election he said without climate action there is no future for youth.

Fiji – Germany

Fiji Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka says his Cabinet has agreed to the establishment of the German Government’s first diplomatic mission in Fiji.

Germany does not have an embassy in Fiji and is currently represented by its Embassy in Wellington, New Zealand, and has an honorary consul in Fiji.

Fiji and Germany have maintained diplomatic relations since 1973.

The Fiji Government says the establishment of the German Diplomatic Mission in Fiji will allow for greater cooperation on business opportunities and investments in both countries, and encourage more person-to-person cooperation through education opportunities in Germany and Europe.

Samoa – Land Cruisers

Japan has provided grants to help Samoa’s police and prison services.

In a signing ceremony at Police Headquarters in Apia, Japan handed over US$667,000 for two projects.

About half of it will go to the provision of 10 Toyota Land Cruisers for police daily operations and the rest will go for two Land Cruisers, a 30 seat bus, a freight truck and a new prison hall and associated services.

The Samoa Government says the assistance should make services more efficient and effective.