Photo credit: Papua New Guinea Today - Treasurer Ling-Stuckey receives briefing from USAID Officials at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in Washington DC.USA.
The United States Aid to Papua New Guinea and the Pacific is increasing. The treasury minister of Papua New Guinea, Ian Ling-Stuckey, stated this.
“In discussions in Washington, USAID have confirmed plans to increase their support for PNG and the broader Pacific. This is a welcome development. It reflects the Marape Government’s work in rebuilding international partnerships to grow the economy and improve lives” stated the Treasurer Ian Ling-Stuckey.
“I know the benefits of USAID projects in our country. In my electorate, USAID has been supplying water tanks for safer and more accessible water. Women in one village no longer have to walk 3 kilometres with very heavy water buckets just to supply their families with this most basic need. This project was so good that I have directed some of our DDA funding to maintain the water tanks and pipes and taps. This is very welcome support from USAID.
“The expansion of USAID includes new facilities such as the Development Finance Facility. Support is provided for private sector investments in the economy through taking an equity in projects or providing loan guarantees. This is a good example of assistance leveraging up resources with a focus on the private sector to encourage growth and sustainable development.
“The discussions also covered USAID support for microfinance, the Indo-Pacific Business Forum, and technical assistance including on trade and investment options. Support for climate change is a particular priority, as are programs to protect the land and enhance biodiversity. Such support is very much in line with the priorities that Prime Minister Marape set out in his recent address to the United Nations. USAID is also providing 500,000 doses of vaccines to the region as part of a “Sleeves Up” campaign. Given the Delta outbreak, improving access to vaccines is vital and welcome” stated the Treasurer.
“There was another interesting aspect to the meeting, and one PNG can learn from. All four USAID officials at the meeting were women. This was a very welcome change to the usual male dominated meetings I experience in PNG. We must better use the enormous abilities of our women in government positions, and encourage them to move to more senior roles.”
Reference: Papua New Guinea Today (30 October 2021). “PNG Treasurer Confirms USAID Increasing support for PNG and the Pacific”.
