The Cook Islands deputy Prime Minister, Sir Terepai Maoate, says he's disappointed that the Chamber of Commerce didn't meet with government first to work out a united position to present to New Zealands Minister of Foreign Affairs Murray McCully during his recent visit to Rarotonga.
He says undermining the efforts of the government to deliver on critical infrastructure projects like the Rarotonga water network and upgrading of Rarotonga roads doesn't paint a positive picture of the development aspirations for the Cook Islands.
Sir Terepai says people have complained about the quality of water supplies and the roads, now that the best option available has come along to fix these problems, which is the lowest available concessional loan obtained from China, the Chamber goes on attack.
He says he's disappointed that the Chamber have been so critical with government's attempts to improve infrastructure, not just on Rarotonga, but in the outer islands as well.