ADB in the Pacific

02/06/2026

29/05/2026

Pacific businesses have an important role to play in delivering the region's development ambitions.

As infrastructure investment continues across the Pacific, local companies are increasingly bringing the skills, knowledge, and community connections needed to help projects succeed.

In this SME Spotlight, Cook Islands business leader, Dallas Young shares her perspective on the opportunities available to Pacific businesses through the growing infrastructure pipeline and why local participation matters.

From construction and logistics to professional services and project support, Pacific businesses are helping ensure development investments create local jobs, build local capability, and deliver lasting benefits for communities.

As participants gathered this week at the Pacific Infrastructure Business Opportunities Seminar (PIBOS) in Nadi, Fiji, stories like this highlight the value of strengthening opportunities for Pacific SMEs to participate in infrastructure projects across the region.

When local businesses grow, Pacific communities grow stronger.

Check Out ADB's Pacific Projects Pipeline here: https://bit.ly/4vdYNqN

28/05/2026

Local contractors are helping deliver infrastructure that works for Pacific communities — because they understand those communities best.

In Milne Bay, Owen Abel and his company, O***a Properties, recently partnered with ADB to deliver projects across remote communities in the Trobriand Islands, including a community hall on Kailuna Island, solar lighting, water tanks, tap works, and livestock fencing.

For Owen, local knowledge is critical.

His team understands the weather, transport and logistics challenges, local building conditions, and the everyday needs of the communities they serve. That experience helps turn infrastructure investment into practical outcomes that improve daily life — from safer community spaces during storms to better lighting, water access, and stronger local livelihoods.

As Pacific businesses, governments, contractors, and development partners gather for the Pacific Infrastructure Business Opportunities Seminar in Nadi, Fiji, Owen’s story is a reminder that quality infrastructure is not only about large-scale investment.

It is also about creating opportunities for Pacific businesses to grow, build skills, create jobs, and deliver lasting benefits for their own communities.

When local businesses grow, Pacific communities grow stronger too.

28/05/2026

📍Munda, Solomon Islands

Overflowing rubbish, blocked drains, polluted coastlines, and growing pressure on towns like Noro and Munda are everyday realities many Solomon Islanders know too well.

That is why ADB has launched community strengthening activities in Western Province to support preparation for the proposed Resilient Urban Services for Sustainable Tourism and Wetland Preservation Project (RESTOW).

The project aims to help modernize solid waste systems in Noro and Munda — making them cleaner, more efficient, and more responsive to the needs of local communities.
Importantly, this is not just about infrastructure.

It is about protecting wetlands and coastlines, supporting tourism and local livelihoods, improving public health, and helping create cleaner and safer towns for future generations.

The launch event in Munda brought together leaders from Western Provincial Government, Noro Town Council, Munda Chiefs, State Owned Enterprises, the private sector, and civil society groups — reflecting the strong local support behind the project.

ADB Solomon Islands Country Director Anthony Gill said RESTOW presents “a great opportunity to modernize solid waste systems in Noro and Munda, making them more efficient, sustainable, and responsive to community needs.”

Speaking on behalf of Premier Billy Veo, Minister for Education, Gordon Zebo said Western Province was “ready for improvement, ready for partnership, and ready for progress.”

The Urban Resilience Trust Fund (URTF) is supporting project preparatory activities, with the project scheduled for approval in 2027. URTF is managed by ADB and funded the United Kingdom Government through its Climate Action for a Resilient Asia (CARA) program.

28/05/2026

What happens when Pacific governments, businesses, contractors, and development partners like ADB come together in one room?

New partnerships. New opportunities. And new ideas to help build a stronger Pacific. 🌏

Over the past few days at PIBOS 2026, conversations have gone beyond infrastructure projects and procurement pipelines to focus on how Pacific businesses can participate more, grow more, and help deliver the infrastructure shaping the region’s future.

From renewable energy and ports to water, transport, health, and climate resilience — the message was clear: strong infrastructure starts with strong partnerships, local knowledge, and investing in Pacific people.

Because the future of Pacific infrastructure should also create Pacific jobs, Pacific skills, and Pacific opportunities.

Vinaka to everyone who has shared ideas, built connections, and helped move these conversations forward.

27/05/2026

Across Papua New Guinea, local contractors are helping deliver infrastructure that works for communities - not just during construction, but long after the work is complete.

During the construction of Pomio District Hospital, contractor Mark Kidd highlighted how local knowledge and strong community buy-in helped shape the project from the ground up.

But the impact extended far beyond the hospital build itself.

The project helped train local community members in carpentry, fabrication, painting, and other practical trades. Women and youth groups were also involved in the finishing and detail work, building skills, creating jobs, and contributing directly to a major community asset.

For contractors working on ADB-supported projects, delivery is about more than completing infrastructure.

It is about adapting to local realities, creating opportunities, building skills, and delivering infrastructure that communities can rely on for years to come.

Because lasting infrastructure is not just about construction.

It is about improving lives.

27/05/2026

On the opening day of the Pacific Infrastructure Business Opportunities Seminar this week, the conversation was about far more than infrastructure.

It was about what infrastructure makes possible for Pacific communities.

Safer water systems. Stronger hospitals. Cleaner energy. Better transport. More opportunities for local businesses. More jobs and skills for Pacific communities.

Pacific governments, businesses, contractors, suppliers, ADB and other development partners,came together to explore how the next generation of infrastructure projects can deliver long-term benefits across the region.

A strong message emerged throughout the day: quality infrastructure must also create local opportunity. That means stronger local partnerships, more transparent procurement, better visibility of upcoming projects, and greater participation for Pacific businesses and workers.

ADB’s Pacific portfolio now approaches USD $4 billion, reflecting the scale of investment supporting resilience, connectivity, and sustainable development across the region.

Because infrastructure is not just about what gets built.
It’s about what changes for people.

26/05/2026

From the rugged Highlands to Papua New Guinea’s northern coast, the Highlands Highway is far more than a road — it is one of the country’s most important economic and social lifelines.

During a recent visit to Bridge 54, ADB PNG Country Director Takafumi Kadono saw firsthand the scale of transformation underway through the Sustainable Highlands Highway Investment Program Tranche 2, which is delivering 71 new climate-resilient bridges along the 430-kilometre corridor.

These bridges are doing more than replacing aging infrastructure. They are helping keep markets supplied, farmers connected to buyers, children travelling to school, patients reaching health services, and businesses moving goods more safely and reliably across nine provinces — supporting more than half of Papua New Guinea’s population.

PNG Deputy Secretary for Planning, Michael Kumung highlighted the critical role the highway plays in driving the country’s economy and connecting communities, agriculture, trade, and essential services.

Now more than 90% complete, the program is helping strengthen one of Papua New Guinea’s most vital transport corridors — improving safety, reliability, and resilience for millions of people every day.

26/05/2026

The Pacific Infrastructure Business Opportunities Seminar kicked off in Nadi, Fiji this week with a day of masterclasses led by ADB and other implementing partners, bringing together Pacific businesses, contractors, governments, and development partners to explore the principals of quality infrastructure, procurement reform, bidding processes, contractor readiness, and environmental and social safeguards.

The goal is to support Pacific businesses to better prepare for upcoming infrastructure opportunities across the region.

Because quality infrastructure is not only about construction. It’s about creating local jobs, strengthening Pacific businesses, encouraging local design and building skills – all with the aim of supporting long-term development outcomes that can have lasting impact across the Pacific.