Progress is being made in Tonga's reconstruction of the central business district with the ANZ bank in Nukualofa reopening its doors.
The branch was in the area of the capital which was burnt to the ground during the November riot in 2006.
At a cost of 2.5 million U.S. dollars to rebuild, the bank branch has trebled in size to accommodate a staff of 17 and two ATMs.
The bank's general manger, Arthur Hubbard, says it's great the branch is open again, resurrecting commercial life in the capital district that had been destroyed.
"We just really wanted to get a site that's in the main street, with a good retail presence. But it's good. We just kind of figured if we put a nice building up, there'll be others that'll follow. And there are other building projects which have already started - about 4 to 5 other building projects around town - so it's great to see, it really is."
Arthur Hubbard.
Tonga's King George Tupou V reopened the bank for business last month.
