Kosrae,
FSM, 20 November 2012 - The state of Kosrae in the Federated
States of Micronesia appreciates inclusion in the Cairns Compact on
Strengthening Development Coordination (Forum Compact) Peer Review process
currently underway in the FSM.
The FSM peer review
continues the series of peer reviews across the Pacific as part of a review of
Forum island countries’ national development planning, budgeting, public
financial and aid management processes and systems. FSM is the 9th
Forum Island Country to undertake this process.
FSM has also
specifically requested that in recognition of the pressing challenges facing
the country, the Peer Review Team should also consider the suitability of the
existing policy environment for promoting private sector development.
The FSM Peer Review
Team consists of Mr Catolina Kijiner
from the Government of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Ms Noumea Simi
representing the Government of Samoa, Mr Johnson Naviti of the Vanuatu
Government and Mr Asif Chida from the UNDP Pacific Centre in Fiji. The team is
assisted by staff of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat.
After consultation with
the national government at the capital Palikir, the Peer Review team divided
into two groups to visit the four states. One group is visiting Yap and Chuuk
and the other group covering Kosrae and Pohnpei states.
At his meeting with
peer review team members on 16 November, Kosrae state Governor, Hon. Lyndon
Jackson, accompanied by the Acting Speaker of the Kosrae State Legislature, Mr
Palikun Shrew and the Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, Mr Bob Skilling
commended the peer review for including the FSM states in its consultations.
“We appreciate the
extension of the peer review consultation to the states to enable the team to
consider the relationship that exists between the four states and the national
government of FSM,” said Governor Jackson.
He explained that “FSM
is entering a very critical period in its economic development with the money
from the Compact of Free Association with the United States ending in 2023 and
as a state of FSM, Kosrae must now find ways and means to fill up the gap that
will be left in its budget.”
“We look forward to
learning from you and exchanging information. Kosrae wants to hear how things
have been done in the other countries of the Pacific.”
The peer review team
members briefed the Kosrae state leaders on changes that
were taking place elsewhere in the Pacific in respect of planning, budgeting
and aid management, particularly in small countries such as Nauru, Kiribati and
Niue which have hosted peer reviews. They underlined that the key to attracting
development assistance that matches a country’s needs is the capacity to set a
clear direction for development and implement it with the resources available
now; and to understand development partner systems and motivations and develop
strategic aid relationships.
Kosrae Governor Jackson
informed the peer review team that his government was the first state in FSM to
pass the necessary legislation for tax reforms and has established an ODA unit
to find other development partners who will be willing to assist in the
economic development of his state leading up to 2023.
Governor Jackson also
acknowledged the important role that the private state plays in the economic
development of Kosrae and his government’s dialogue with the state’s Chamber of
Commerce through their inclusion in important government coordinated meetings.
At a separate meeting
on 17 November with members of the Kosrae Chamber of Commerce,
Chamber President Witson Phillip confirmed to the peer review team the dialogue
his members have with the state government.“The Kosrae state government invites us to the State Leadership meetings and the Chamber has used these opportunities to advocate the interest of it’s members,” said Mr Phillip.
He added: “Some of our
members have received assistance from the Kosrae state government but we are
not directly involved in the discussions in the allocation to the private
sector in the state’s budget. We want to be able to discuss with the state
government what projects our members want to be included in the state budget.”
With a population of
about 5,000 people, Kosrae, a 109 square kilometre island, is the smallest of
the four states of FSM. It is the only state without any outer islands. Tofol
is the capital of Kosrae state.
ENDS
For media enquiries,
contact Mr Johnson Honimae, the Forum Secretariat’s Media Officer on phone: 691
9248325 or email: johnsonh@forumsec.org.fj
No comments:
Post a Comment