A four-day workshop, organized by the PACER Plus Implementation Unit (PPIU) in collaboration with the Ministry of Trade and Economic Development (MTED) which commenced on 13^th February 2024 at Ancient Tonga, with 35 participants from various Government Ministries and private sector. The team led by Ms. Olivia Phongkham, (PPIU Trade in Services and Investment Adviser) was graciously welcomed by the CEO for MTED, Mrs. Distaquaine Tu’ihalamaka, whom also set the stage for a collaborative and knowledge rich experience in her welcoming remarks.

The PPIU’s trade in services and investment components aims to enhance the capacity of the public sector in Tonga by providing trainings, workshops, and knowledge-sharing opportunities.  This capacity building workshop will improve the expertise within the government ministries responsible for investment reform, and enable Tonga to streamline investment processes, implement best practices, and create an enabling environment for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). The workshop covers FDI Fundamentals, Investment Facilitation, Investment Promotion, Investor Aftercare, and Action Planning.

A critical aspect of the this workshop is the development of detailed Action Plans by participants from the public sector ministries. These plans will ensure that the knowledge gained from the workshop translates into practical steps that can be implemented effectively. By empowering participants to develop and execute these plans, PACER Plus enables the immediate leveraging of new skills and harnesses the commitment of the public sector in achieving tangible results and long term outcomes.

As Tonga embarks on this journey into the intricacies of FDI, the collaboration between the PPIU and the Tonga Government stands as a testament to the commitment towards sustainable economic growth. The workshop serves as a platform for synergy, fostering a conducive environment for both public and private sectors to work hand in hand towards a prosperous and resilient future for Tonga.