25 Nov 2002

New Zeakland asked by Vanuatu to provide aid to boost rural development

6:43 pm on 25 November 2002

Vanuatu has pleaded with New Zealand to focus some of its aid to the country on developing the productive sectors of the economy.

Two consultants from NZAID have been in Vanuatu for annual talks on how New Zealand should allocate its aid.

Port Vila Presse reports that Vanuatu's Deputy Prime Minister, Serge Vohor, asked the consultants to consider whether the donor or the recipient should set the priorities for aid spending.

He says Vanuatu urgently needs to refocus attention on more productive sectors such as tourism and agriculture.

Mr Vohor says if New Zealand and other countries have trouble supporting agriculture and rural development, it must be explained.

New Zealand has recently changed its priorities for allocating aid, with the primary focus now on overcoming poverty.