to continue to drive the economy forward but also the industry sector is expected to contribute favorably if the millennium challenge account projects are implemented. the agriculture sector is also anticipated to improve in 2006. • the balance of payment of the country outlook appears favorable. official international reserves have increased to a comfortable level of 6 months of import cover in may 2006, and are expected to continue to increase in 2006.

odo tevi : financial inclusion in vanuatu keynote address by mr odo tevi, governor of the reserve bank of vanuatu, at the national financial inclusion workshop, port vila, 9 – 10 august 2012. * * * honorable minister of finance and economic management, deputy governors, development partners, distinguished speakers, bankers and financial services providers, public figures from other jurisdictions in the pacific and from vanuatu, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, world leaders now recognize financial inclusion as an important tool to promote sustainable economic growth and development. this was evident during the g20 pittsburg summit in november 2009, where the leaders made fresh commitments to improve access to financial services to low income people by supporting the spread of safe and sound modes of financial services capable of reaching the low income earners and the remote rural population group. what is financial inclusion? financial inclusion is about the delivery of affordable and sustainable financial services to the underserved. specifically it is about making readily available safe savings products, appropriately tailored loans, and insurance and payment services affordable to low income earners, women, and those living in the rural areas. in the pacific region, in 2009, the forum finance and economic minister meeting have agreed that each pacific island nation be committed to achieve the money pacific goals by 2020. this is a commitment that our governments have already made and i sincerely thank the honorable minister of finance for re - affirming the government ’ s full support towards greater financial inclusion in vanuatu this morning. the money pacific goal number one recognizes the importance of financial literacy and therefore aims to incorporate financial education in the core national school curriculum. this approach aims to impart a basic life - skill to our children on understanding money and managing income to benefit their families and their communities and sustainably participate in economic activities. the reserve bank of vanuatu is currently working with the ministry of education to address this goal and i am glad to mention that the ministry of education is keen on this initiative. the money pacific goal number two focuses on adult financial education and is aimed to make it available to all adults in each respective nation in the pacific. on this, i wish to sincerely acknowledge the national bank of vanuatu and vanwods microfinance for their financial literacy programs on the radio. i would also like to acknowledge anz bank, westpac bank, vanuatu agriculture development bank, the department of cooperative and ni - vanuatu business, and other institutions i did not mention, for their extensive community based financial literacy and business up skilling programs. all