Page 34 - IB JAN 2019

From page 30 He said: “Our priorities for that
partnership are clear: we’re going to
attract more investment, we’re going
in public financial management; the to further boost our climate resilience,
policy, legal and institutional frame- we’re going to continue to build con-
work for state-owned enterprises and fidence in our economy by increasing
public-private partnerships; and the engagement with the private sector,
business and investment climate,” we’re going to continue developing a
Nakao said. world class civil service and we’re go-
The ADB and the Fijian Govern- ing to develop even greater networks
ment are now preparing a new of infrastructure for the benefit of Fi-
Country Partnership Strategy (CPS) to jians everywhere, all through the lens
guide joint efforts in 2019-2023 and of accountability, transparency and
according to the bank, the CPS will good governance. Our hosting of the
support the government’s National upcoming ADB 52nd Annual Meet-
Development Plan and is expected ing is a proud recognition – among
to prioritise actions to promote pri- many – of our capacity to host major
vate sector investment and growth, international events, and we look
broaden access to quality social forward to showcasing Fiji’s develop-
services and economic opportuni- ADB President Nakao with Prime Minister Bainimarama. ment achievements at the meeting in
ties, and build resilience and reduce Denarau this May.”
economic volatility, including through investments in climate Fiji, which has allocated F$10m (USD4.71m) to host the
change and disaster-resilient infrastructure assets. meeting, will be the first Pacific developing member country to
A big spender on infrastructure projects in the Pacific islands, host ADB’s annual meeting.
ADB expects to invest around F$280 (USD131.88m) million It is the bank’s largest gathering and provides a unique op-
in 2019-2020 on infrastructure projects in Fiji. These, it said, portunity for ADB Governors, government officials, the private
include major projects such as the expansion of sewerage in- sector, development partners and experts to discuss critical
frastructure in Suva and a Nadi River flood protection project issues and challenges facing Asia and the Pacific.
which is expected to be co-financed by the Japan International Following his visit to the meeting facilities, ADB President
Cooperation Agency (JICA). The project is expected to protect Nakao said he was impressed by the beauty of the venues and
Nadi and surrounding areas – a vital hub for logistics and tour- the quality of the facilities available.
ism in the region – from frequent flooding. “ADB’s annual meeting is an excellent opportunity to highlight
Other ongoing infrastructure projects include the F$100 mil- the strength of the Fijian economy and progress across the wider
lion (USD47.1m) Transport Infrastructure Investment Sector Pacific region. In the meeting, we will discuss, among others, the
Project and the F$42m (USD19.8m) Fiji Urban Water Supply development of sustainable tourism and management of ocean
and Wastewater Management Investment Programme. health which are important issues not only for Fiji and other
The ADB also invests and provides financial assistance in Pacific countries but also for many Asian countries,” Nakao said.
other areas like agriculture and disaster management. The theme this year is “Prosperity Through Unity.”
It currently pledges an F$50 million (USD23.55m) Emergency ADB is building its presence in 11 Pacific countries and has
Assistance for Recovery from Tropical Winston programme its Pacific sub-regional office in Fiji.
for Fiji. The volume of active ADB projects in the Pacific region has
Recognising ADB’s longstanding partnership with Fiji, doubled every five years since 2005 and by the end of 2018
Prime Minister Bainimarama said there is room to strengthen had exceeded F$3billion (USD1.41b) and it expects to pass the
it further. F$4bn (USD1.88b) mark by 2020.

Movers & Shakers degree from the University of the South Obituary
Pacific and a master of public health from
VP Heine Boston University.. MARSHALL Islands
DWIGHT P Heine is the new Ambassador to Fiji
Vice President of the Pacific Money boss His Excellency Ruben
Islands Development Bank OSCAR Thomas Malielegaoi Zackhras has died in
(PIDB) in Guam. He will is the new Chief Executive Of- Hawaii after a long bat-
assist the President and ficer of the Samoan Ministry tle with cancer.
CEO of the Bank in his new role includ- of Finance. He was 71.
ing strategic planning and budgeting, He is replacing Tupa’matuna The late Ambassador
lending, staff management and training, Lulai Lavea,who previously held that posi- was one of the longest serving elected
business development and marketing, and tion for nine years. leaders in the history of the Marshall
facilitating corporate activities including Malielegaoi’sappointment was approved Islands.
board and shareholders’ meetings. Until by the Samoan Cabinet and he assumed He is survived by his wife Rothie, and
this appointment, he was CEO of the Office the role on 1 January. children Eominta, Sharon, Wise, Nanie,
of Commerce, Investment and Tourism in He is the son of Samoan Prime Minister Isaac and Ruben Jr.
the Marshall Islands.He holds an MBA Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi.

34 Islands Business, January 2019