Tonga
PSDI is supporting reforms that address private-sector challenges and help the Tongan economy fulfill its long-term growth potential.
PSDI is working with the Government of Tonga to:
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Increase access to finance through the implementation of a secured transactions framework, and providing assistance to lenders to enhance the framework’s uptake;
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Strengthen the governance and operations of Tonga’s public and private-sector retirement funds;
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Simplify and modernize business and investment laws, and streamline business registration processes through electronic registry implementation;
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Improve the performance of state-owned enterprises through reform, PPPs, and transparent performance information;
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Assess public-private partnership and privatization opportunities;
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Support strong competition and consumer protection legislation and policy development;
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Analyse and work to remove constraints to women’s full economic participation, through Women’s Business Leadership pilot projects and incorporating a gender perspective into reform activities; and
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Support reforms through advocacy and analytical work.
Resources and Spending
Since 2007, Tonga has received $4.7 million in PSDI assistance. 28% of this overall figure has been allocated to business law reform initiatives, which have included development of the Pacific’s first multiple-entity registry and numerous legislative reforms. A broad state-owned enterprise (SOE) reform and public-private partnerships program has also received 28% of total funding. Financing Growth initiatives have received 20% of the overall figure, including the development of a secured transactions framework and associated work to increase the provision of loans secured against movable assets.
On this website, $ refers to US dollars unless otherwise stated.
For detailed information on PSDI activities in Tonga, download the April 2020 PSDI Country Overview here.
Tonga at a glance
Simplified and modernized business laws
80% faster business registrations
29% increase in new business registrations
Secured transactions framework
9,500 securities registered
South Pacific's largest solar plant
Latest News
NUKU'ALOFA TIMES, TONGA: Tonga is amongst the pace setters according to a new report from the Pacific Private Sector Development Initiative..
PSDI supported a tender forum for prospective bidders for a Ports Authority of Tonga (PAT) stevedoring contract, held at the PAT headquarters in Nuku’alofa on 8 February.
A PSDI-supported public-private partnership signed in Nuku’alofa yesterday will see the largest solar plant in the south Pacific built in Tonga.
NUKU’ALOFA, TONGA (21 March 2019) — The largest solar plant in the south Pacific will be built in Tonga through the country’s second commercially financed public-private partnership (PPP) after an agreement was signed in Nuku’alofa today.
With PSDI support, Tonga's Ministry of Public Enterprises' website has been updated to provide key information about Tonga’s state-owned enterprises (SOEs)--a first for the Pacific.
The leadership workshops attracted participants from major Tongan businesses and government departments. The Women’s Business Leadership Program took place in Nuku’alofa, Tonga, over three, two-day sessions that aimed to provide attendees with the skills, knowledge, mentoring, and networking opportunities they require to advance their careers. All attendees selected to take part in the workshops currently work in mid-level roles in the public or private sectors. The workshops covered a range of topics,...
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