The Minister for Trade and Economic Development, Hon. Viliami Uasike Latu, and Australia High Commissioner, H.E. Rachael Moore, signed a subsidiary arrangement (Arrangement) on 30 January 2023, to mark the coopertaion of the two governments in establishing the Market Development Facility (MDF) here in Tonga.

The MDF is a multi-country initiative which promotes sustainable economic development through higher incomes for women and men in partner countries. It connects individuals, businesses, governments and NGOs with each other, and with markets at home and abroad. It is currently active in Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Sri Lanka, Timor Leste and Vanuatu. MDF is funded by the Australian and New Zealand and implemented by Palladium, in partnership with Swiesscontact.

The MDF is to be implemented in Tonga over a 4.5 per period (until June 2027) with an estimated value of activities at AU$3.8 million over the 4.5 period. With the signing of the Arrangement, MDF is expected to commence recruitment for its national staff immediately and begin works on setting its operational arrangements. Follow this link for more information on recruitment