Topic: RMINews

ADB Loan to Help Marshall Islands Meet Budget Targets, Reform Public Sector

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) will provide loan assistance to the Republic of the Marshall Islands to help to achieve long-term fiscal sustainability and to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the public sector.

ADB’s Board of Directors today approved financial assistance to the Government of the Marshall Islands comprising two loans amounting to $14.5 million. A technical assistance grant of $700,000 will also be made available to support the implementation of the Public Sector Program. The program will be supplemented by two proposed projects in the energy and social sectors funded by the Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction.

Marshall Islands: Japan, ADB Grant to Deliver Electricity Services to Poor Communities

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Japan are assisting the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) to boost electricity services to the poor.

A grant of US$1.76 million from the ADB-administered Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction will be used to deliver extended, sustainable power services to low income households in the Marshall Islands.

The project will deliver power to targeted unserviced, poor households in the capital Majuro, and will also assist areas in Wotje and Jaluit.

Republic of Marshall Islands sign Pacific Petroleum Project MoU

The Republic of the Marshall Islands today signed the Memorandum of Understanding for the Pacific Petroleum Project, the fifth Pacific Island Country to sign after the Cook Islands, Nauru, Niue and Tuvalu.

‘The signature of the Republic of the Marshall Islands of this Memorandum of Understanding for the Pacific Petroleum Project is an important step in building a regional approach to purchasing high quality petroleum at an affordable price”, stated the Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum, Tuiloma Neroni Slade.

Indigenous Taiwan Youth Make Friends in Marshall Islands

Youth Ambassadors from National Dong Hwa University are in Majuro, Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI), for a three-week visit with Marshallese youth. The team, including six students and three instructors from the Departments of Indigenous Culture and Language and Communication of Indigenous Peoples, is composed of descendants from the Amis Tribe, the Rukai Tribe, the Tsou Tribe and the Han Tribe.

According to the Republic of China (Taiwan) Embassy in Majuro, the team members were very excited to come to the Marshall Islands and to build up friendship and understanding with local students.

Super-rare 'Elkhorn' Coral Found in Marshall Islands

An Australian scientist has discovered what could be the world’s rarest coral in the remote North Pacific Ocean.

The unique Pacific elkhorn coral was found while conducting underwater surveys of Arno atoll in the Marshall Islands, by coral researcher Dr Zoe Richards of the ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies (CoECRS).

The coral bears a close physical resemblance to the critically endangered and fast-vanishing elkhorn coral (Acropora palmata) of the Atlantic Ocean, but genetic analysis has shown it to be a different species.

Taiwan Continues to Support the Endangered Mulé in Marshall Islands

Taiwan donated another US $3,000 to the Marshall Islands Conservation Society (MICS) last week in support the project for the rehabilitation of the endangered Mulé (Micronesia Imperial Pigeon).

According to the Embassy of the Republic of China (Taiwan) in Majuro, the donation follows on the heals of RMI President Jurelang Zedkaia's state trip to Taiwan. It was during the visit last month, Legislative Yuan President Wang Jin-pyng learned of the project's progress.

Taiwan Continues its Medical Diplomacy to the Marshall Islands

The Republic of China is sending a Medical Mobile Mission to the Marshall Islands this month. The 10-day mission, arriving on July 27, will provide medical services at Majuro and Ebeye hospitals.

The medical diplomacy is sponsored by the R.O.C. Taiwan International Cooperation and Development Fund (ICDF) and organized by Taipei Municipal Wan-Fan Hospital, working with the RMI Ministry of Health along with local hospitals.

RELATED:

• ROC-RMI Youth Ambassadors’ Exchange Program Begins July 22

Marshall Islands Revs Up for Major Tax Reform

The Marshall Islands Cabinet has endorsed recommendations for reforming the Republic's tax and revenue system. The Tax and Revenue Reform and Mondernization Commission was mandated in July 2008 to review the current tax regime and propose new structures "conducive to current realities and circumstances." Following the consultation process, the Commission submitted its final report to RMI Finance Minister Jack Ading in March. Basic tenets of the overhaul include: (1) a consumption tax likely to be necessary; (2) personal tax brackets to provide relief for the working poor; and (3) business taxation to be on a net income basis.

Acknowledging the challenges the future brings, Minister Ading said he anticipates the process will be long and difficult. "Nonetheless, I am optimistic that by working together, we can and will introduce a new tax structure best suited for our country in sustaining revenues for essential government services, developing our Private Sector, and preparing for the future."

• COMMISSION'S FINAL REPORT: A Holistic Approach to Reforming the Tax and Revenue System

President Jurelang Zedkaia & First Lady Make First State Visit to the Republic of China (Taiwan)

At the invitation of H.E. President Ma Ying-jeou and the Government of the Republic of China (Taiwan), H.E. President Jurelang Zedkaia & Mme. First Lady Hannah Jurelang Zedkaia are to lead a delegation, accompanied by H.E. Bruce J.D. Linghu, Ambassador of the ROC (Taiwan) to the RMI, to pay a state visit to the ROC (Taiwan) from June 30 through July 5, 2010.

The delegation members also include Hon. Foreign Minister John M. Silk & Mrs. Mary Silk; Mrs. Neijon Edwards, Chief of Protocol; Mr. Christopher deBrum, Chief of Staff of President’s Office; and Mrs. Yolanda Lodge-Ned, Clerk of Cabinet.

Marshall Islands' President Attends First MCES Summit, Continues on to Taiwan

President Jurelang Zedkaia and First Lady Hanna left Majuro Monday to attend the Micronesian Chief Executives' Summit in Saipan. Climate change remains top challenge, the Republic of the Marshall Islands' President said during his first summit. The RMI delegation to the three-day event, June 23-25, included Heath Committee RMI representatives Ambassador Kaminaga and a RMI Health Official, Regional Invasive Species(RISC) and Renewable Energy Committee (REC) RMI representatives Karnes Kusto and Ambassador Kaminaga, Regional Tourism Committee RMI representative Dolores deBrum-Kattil, Pacific Islands Workforce Investment Group RMI representative Marie Maddison, and Micronesia Challenge represented by Yumi Crisostomo. At the close of the summit, Marshall Islands Minister-in-Assistance to the President Ruben Zackhras, on behalf of President Jurelang Zedkaia, signed the Joint Communique. According to the Office of the President, Zedkaia was to continue on to his state visit in Taiwan.

MORE:

• Video: Micronesian Chief Executives' Summit in Saipan - KUAM interviews with Chiefs
• 9 Micronesian chiefs renew pacts - Minister-in-Assistance Ruben Zackhras on behalf of President Zedkaia
• Leaders work on a 'safer, cleaner, healthier' Micronesia - Zedkaia said climate change poses danger
• Congress urged to restore Medicaid eligibility for FAS citizens - Leaders told to intercede.
• U.S. Put 1 Billion into Pacific Airports Since 2000 - Congress considers continuing grants.
• Epidemic of non-communicable diseases in Pacific region bared - health emergency delcared.
• Some Pacific islands still have no computers - RMI, Solomons, Kiribati have poorest internet coverage.
• First ladies read aloud, dance with NMI kids - NMI, Guam, Marshall Islands, and Palau

Marshall Islands: Portugal Funds Joachim deBrum House Restoration Project

Acting Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Bernard J. Adiniwin, handed over a check of $70,000 to Mr. John Boene of the Joachim deBrum Memorial Trust, and the Secretary of Internal Affairs and National Historic Preservation Officer, Mr. Wilbur Heine, in a brief hand-over in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the Joachim deBrum Restoration Project.

“Preservation of historic property in the RMI depends on, amongst others, our ability to receive sufficient resources from international providers. This is one of many more we hope to secure from our international partners,” said Acting Secretary Adiniwin.

Marshall Islands Police Host Media Relations Seminar


Minister Brenson Wase of the Ministry of Justice officially opened a seminar aimed at improving community confidence in police forces across the North Pacific on Monday, May 24, 2010.

The seminar, held in Majuro and funded by the Australian Federal Police’s Pacific Police Development Program, attracted 24 participants from 3 countries, including the Republic of Palau, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of the Marshall Islands, who will take part in five days of workshops and tutorials focused on building relationships with the media and the community.

Election-Prep Brings Marshall Islands' Teams to U.S.

Officials of the Republic of the Marshall Islands Electoral Administration will be reaching out to Marshallese communities in the United States over the next month in preparation for the next national elections. Three teams left Majuro on Saturday, May 29, to locations in Hawaii and across the continental U.S.

They plan to take surveys for the 2011 General Elections and also conduct registrations and re-registrations for eligible voters.

Moving Interviews Reveal Water Hardships in Marshall Islands

A new video from the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) highlights the threats to water supply in the country from El Nino events, droughts and sanitation issues.

The atolls that comprise RMI have small freshwater lenses and access to this water is limited. Currently on the main island of Majuro, the government is only able to supply water one day a week, the rest of the time the inhabitants have to fend for themselves.

• DREN: Water Challenges in the Marshall Islands

Marshall Islands President Gets Pentagon Welcome


The President of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, a small, Pacific ally of the US and host nation to the U.S. missile base on Kwajalein Atoll, met with Defense Department officials in Washington, D.C. today.

Welcoming President Jurelang Zedkaia with an honor cordon held on the steps of the Pentagon River Entrance was Deputy Secretary of Defense William J. Lynn II.