Donor Help Accelerates Gov't Development Budget

Donor Help Accelerates Gov't Development Budget: Abana

The Minister for National Planning and Aid Co-ordination Hon Steve Abana acknowledges Donor Partners for increasing their contributions in the 2008 Development budget.

Mr Abana told parliament the ruling government's intention to increase the development budget demonstrates the government's serious commitment to address its people's need and the effective use of domestic resources to complement donor inputs.
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He said the total funding for the 2008 development estimates remain over $2 billion as donor partners funding has increased by $80million more on the Development estimated budget.

"Indeed, there was no better way the Donors Partners can illustrate their support for the Government than to the increase funding".

"This really and fairly demonstrates their strong support for the Government's policies" he said

The Minister said the Donor and Government funding in the Development budget represents a huge sum of money much larger than the recurrent estimates.

On that note, Mr Abana said the CNURA Government recognized that such large amounts of donor assistances are vital in helping the Government deliver services to the people in rural communities.

The Minister reminded opponents of donor funding that donor projects are only implemented once they have been scrutinized, codified and approved by the Government.

He said just because donor funds does not go through government financial system does not mean they are not addressing government priorities.

"whilst it may take sometime for the Government to welcome the initiative by a number of donor partners who have assisted the government through budgetary support, I believe this is paving the way in the right direction for long term budgetary support"

Abana said the 2008 development budget also demonstrates the collective efforts of both the Government and Donors in addressing key priority areas or sectors as outlined in the Government's policy documents.

"The Government is committed to working closely with donors in advancing the implementation of government policies to benefit the country and people of Solomon Islands," he said.

ENDS

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