The Tongatapu Royal Agricultural, Fisheries, Tourism and Trade Show (RAFTT) kicked off on Saturday 10 June what is proving to be the greatest exhibition of products and services that are fundamental to the economic and social well-being of the island kingdom.
Despite the wet and muddy grounds at the Manamo’ui Showgrounds from wet weather in previous days, beautiful sunny weather was able to help make Saturday’s exhibition a successful one.
Because of the restrictions from Covid 19 and natural disasters, this years RAFTT is the first in three years.
His Majesty King Tupou VI and Queen Nanasipau’u were present to open the Show. The Prime Minister Hu’akavameiliku was also present, as well as other Cabinet Ministers.
Lord Fohe, Minister of Agriculture and Acting Minister for Fisheries, said that kava exports from Tonga was on a high this year. He also said that food imports are still high costing annually about $120 million.
One of the special features of this year’s show was the display of products by Chinese companies and business people. Some of the vegetables in display were introduced to the Tongan local growers market by Chinese growers.
The Chinese Ambassador to Tonga, H.E. Cao Xiaolin, had said in a speech before the show that there would be exhibits of “some of the outcomes of fruitful cooperation between China and Tonga in agriculture, fisheries and trade.”
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The Ambassador also said that there is thinking and planning to expand the mutually beneficial cooperation to more fields for common development.”
As part of the show there were awards given in prizes to exceptional production of goods, not only in agriculture but also in fisheries, and handicraft production.
The RAFTT will continue to ‘Eua, Ha’apai, and Vava’u, and finally wind up in the Niua Islands in the next several weeks.