In a bid to bolster the quality of infrastructure procurement in seven Pacific Island nations, the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) has unveiled fresh funding. The initiative, announced by Director Enoh T. Ebong in Fiji, coincides with the second anniversary of the U.S. government’s Indo-Pacific Strategy launch.

Director Ebong emphasized the importance of transparent procurement systems, noting that they enable countries to assess proposals based on long-term lifecycle costs and overall value, rather than merely opting for the lowest-cost bids, which can lead to subpar infrastructure and failed development outcomes.

USTDA’s support will encompass training sessions conducted in-country as well as a study tour to the United States. The training workshop, slated for Fiji, will bring together mid- to senior-level procurement officials from Fiji, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu. Additionally, a study tour will facilitate the engagement of up to 17 Pacific Islands procurement officials with counterparts at various levels of government in the United States, allowing for insights into effective procurement models.

This initiative aligns with the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment, aimed at delivering transformative projects to address the infrastructure deficit in developing nations. Furthermore, it underscores the commitment to the Pacific Quality Infrastructure Principles, as agreed upon by 18 Pacific countries and territories during the November 2023 Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Leaders’ Meeting.

(Sourced information from US Trade and Development Agency)