The Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific (AIFFP) has disbursed initial tranche of grant funds as part of its support to upgrade two critical boat harbours in the Nui and Niutao outer islands, Tuvalu.
Funding of USD7 million was released for the Enhancing boat harbours across Tuvalu project last month, with the AIFFP’s support totalling AUD21.4 million.
Through the project, the AIFFP is working with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Government of Tuvalu to improve and construct new harbour facilities on Nui and Niutao outer islands.
Maritime transport is vital to Tuvalu's economy, the new boat harbours will improve connectivity for passengers and cargo travelling between Tuvalu’s capital and the two outer islands.
The AIFFP’s support to the project was announced in August 2023 in a visit to Tuvalu by Minister for International Development and the Pacific the Hon Pat Conroy MP and marks the second AIFFP project to be jointly co-financed with the ADB.