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Donor nations to review FSM economic policies

PALIKIR, Pohnpei (FSM Information Service): February 2000 - Donor countries will hear about the FSM's economic performance and review the country's economic reform progress at the Fourth Consultative Group of Donors meeting in Manila, February 29.

At the meeting the FSM government will share descriptions with the donors in two economic areas: first, being its strategy for achieving self-reliance, with special attention to ongoing negotiations with the United States in developing a new Compact economic- assistance package.

The second area is the FSM's ongoing requirements for technical, advisory and financial support from the donor partners to achieve mutual goals.

Among the donor partners assisting the FSM are the United States, Japan, the People's Republic of China, Australia, New Zealand, France, the Asian Development Bank, the International Monetary Fund, the Pacific Financial Technical Assistance Center, the United Nations Development Programme, and the World Bank.

An economic report on the FSM to the Consultative Group Donors has been shared in advance of the donor meeting.

Vice President Redley Killion will head the FSM delegation to the meeting, which is being held at the Asian Development Bank headquarters.

Other members of the delegation include, John Ehsa, secretary of Finance and Administration; Sebastian Anefal secretary of Economic Affairs; Lorin Robert, assistant secretary of Foreign Affairs, FSM Senator Peter Christian, chief negotiator Joint Committee on Compact Negotiations; and Asterio Takesy, executive director, Joint Committee on Compact Negotiations.