South Pacific needs explained to bank

Press, 22 May 1987, Page 25

South Pacific needs explained to bank

Reuters Osaka, Japan Australia has urged the Asian Development Bank (A.D.8.) to pay special attention to the needs of the tiny islands that dot the South Pacific.

New Zealand’s delegate, Mr Trevor de Cleene, also highlighted the unique character of the tiny Pacific islands in his address to the A.D.B. “The countries of the South Pacific are different from the _ larger countries of the region and have special and particular needs and problems, which should not be submerged because of size,” he said. “The Bank has a special role to play in the South Pacific . member countries,” said the Australian Community Services Minister Mr C. J. Hurford.

“Not only have they had to face continuing low

commodity prices, but some of them — Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and Cook Islands — have again suffered devastation from cyclones,” he said. Mr Hurford, who is also the Minister assisting the Treasurer, told the A.D.B.’s annual meeting here that he expected the bank to help in the reconstruction of those islands.

“As you will be aware, the island member countries are vulnerable to natural disasters, for example cyclones, which can be devastating to the island economies,” said Vanuatu’s Finance Minister, Mr Kalpokor Kalsakau.

“The Bank should ... be flexible in providing immediate financial assistance if requested by the member countries concerned,” he said.