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PM: NZ's assistance in Pacific focuses on economic growth |
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13:29, August 20, 2008 |
New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark said Tuesday that building an environment conducive to economic growth in the Pacific Island countries is a focus for New Zealand's development assistance program in the region.
"Over the next seven years New Zealand will spend over 2 billion NZ dollars (1.63 billion U.S. dollars) in development assistance to the Pacific. The New Zealand Pacific Development Strategy launched recently sets the shape and direction for our assistance to the region," Clark said in a press statement released here Tuesday.
She said New Zealand's assistance will center on helping Pacific nations to create an environment which supports sustainable economic growth and delivers long-term benefits.
Clark arrived here Monday night for the 39th Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Leaders' Summit that will be held on Aug. 19 to 21.
At this year's forum, New Zealand, Australia, the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank are expected to announce a joint program of the new Pacific Regional Infrastructure Fund (PRIF).
Clark said New Zealand had made an initial commitment of 1 million NZ dollars (0.81 million U.S. dollars) to the design of the facility and would like to make a significant further donation to the fund.
Source:Xinhua
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