Pacific

Niue's Development Bank surveys interest among expatriates in returning home

15:02 pm on 15 September 2006

Officials from Niue's Development Bank have been speaking with Niuean expatriate groups in Auckland over the past week as the island steps up efforts to encourage people return home.

It comes at a time when Indians have been taken to the island to provide labour as the government endeavours to develop its economy.

The chairman of the Development Bank, Aukuso Pavihi, says the reasons Niueans have previously given for not returning are the lack of employment opportunities or the state of housing.

He says the Bank is ready to extend services to Niueans abroad who might need financing to repair or build houses on the island.

"If the whole thing goes through then they [will be] eligible to apply for loans to fix up their houses back home or even to build new houses if they want to."

Mr Pavihi says the Bank is unlikely to offer rates below what the commercial banks offer.