In his short visit to Tonga’s Youth Development Program and Trade Capacity Development Program to Tonga, Commonwealth Deputy Secretary General, Deodat Mahari, said Tonga should have a future plan on developing blue economy, a long term plan which will help the island state’s economy.
Like Small Islands Development States (SIDS), there are economic vulnerabilities challenging Tonga and are similar to the other island states. These includes changing climate changes and its effects, isolation and underdeveloped infrastructures that continue be barriers to the economy of this small island states.
To develop and have a sustainable future plan, Secretary General believes the development of blue economy will best sustain Tonga’s marine resource as marine resources make a bigger part of Tonga’s economy and the locals survival.
With most of Pacific Islands small Island states having smaller land masses and larger sea territories, blue economy will help them, as Blue Economy is a marine based economy.
Secretary General said “for Tonga to advance and for its economy to grow, Tonga has to trade more effectively”. For this to happen, a new trade adviser is necessary and Secretary General said “they are currently recruiting a new trade adviser for Tonga”.
