14 Dec 2018

US joins Pacific infrastructure alternative to China

From , 5:03 am on 14 December 2018

Pacific countries will soon have better access to American funding for big ticket infrastructure projects.

The United States has joined a regional infrastructure development group offering an alternative to Chinese finance.

The Asian Development Bank announced on Tuesday the US was adding its expertise and financial clout to the Pacific Region Infrastructure Facility.

The ADB co-ordinator for PRIF Rob Jauncey says the Pacific needs upwards of US$3 billlion a year to meet its infrastructure needs.

He says climate change is adding to the burden.

And as Rob Jauncey told Dominic Godfrey, PRIF brings together resources from Australia, the EU, Japan, New Zealand, and the US along with the World Bank and ADB.

Suva Harbour the capital of Fiji.

Suva Harbour the capital of Fiji. Photo: RNZ Pacific/ Koroi Hawkins