ROP PARTNERSHIP FOR DEVELOPMENT

Australia's bilateral aid to the Republic of Palau focuses on the following three strategic objectives:1. Reducing the threats from explosive remnants of war. Palau was a major battlefield in World War II and the vast amounts of unexploded bombs, mines and artillery shells have been a danger to people and a hindrance to effective land use and development. 2. Achieving greater gender quality and enhancing women's empowerment 3. Co-finance with the World Bank a project that will reform the ICT sector as part of a wider project to lay a new submarine cable that will provide more stable and faster access to the internet for the government, private sector, NGOs, schools and individuals. Australian assistance will focus on providing technical assistance to improve the ICT policy and regulatory environment. Advances in the ICT sector will provide a more enabling environment for the country's development.