Cabinet Retreat targets strategic plans for Tonga’s future

Cabinet Retreat targets strategic plans for Tonga’s future

May 23, 2011 - Tonga’s top officials have gathered for a special Cabinet Retreat on the island of Vava’u to review the progress made by the new Government, and make strategic plans for the future.

Discussions held by Cabinet Ministers and their CEOs today included the Government Budget for the 2011-2012 fiscal year; approaches to achieving the Tonga Strategic Development Framework (TSDF), including the Tonga Energy Road Map; plans for a revised Government Structure to enable the TSDF; and Government’s priorities for its four year term.

Participants also reviewed works by Government from January to June 2011, and outlined plans to be implemented from July 2011 to December 2014.

A communiqué of the outcomes will be presented to the Legislative Assembly and made available to the public tomorrow.

“The Government is looking to establish some strong, comprehensive groundwork for the coming years. When the Legislative Assembly opens in early June, we need to have at least a clear understanding of our economic and development situation before moving forward with our colleagues in Parliament, as well as the rest of the people of Tonga,” said the Prime Minister Lord Tu’ivakano.

The retreat officially began on Friday 20th May, 2011 with the first Cabinet meeting ever held outside Nuku’alofa, taking place at the Governor’s Office in Neiafu, Vava’u.

According to Chief Secretary & Secretary to Cabinet, Busby Kautoke, 21 Agenda items included amendments to the Retirement Fund Board Act 1998, various land matters, and presentations of special reports, including those on talks with European and ACP Parliamentarians as well as NATO, and outcomes of the Forum Trade Ministers meeting also held last week.

The Cabinet Retreat resumed today with the Tonga Energy Road Map annual review, presentation of the Tonga Strategic Development Framework, and key dialogues with development partners also invited to hold talks in Vava’u.

The Cabinet Retreat closes tomorrow morning.

ENDS.

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