Australia’s Foreign Minister Julie Bishop launched the Economic Growth Program during her visit to Solomon Islands on Tuesday.
The AUD 50 million (approx. SBD 300 million) Growth Program will catalyse private sector investment and increase opportunities for inclusive growth. It will work in new and different ways with the private sector to seed ideas and stimulate collaboration in high-growth industries such as tourism and agriculture.
Foreign Minister Bishop and Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare met to discuss Australia’s continued support for peace and stability in Solomon Islands in the lead up to and after the departure of the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI) in June 2017.
“Australia has a strong interest in the security of our Pacific neighbours and we will not shrink from our responsibilities as a good neighbour and true friend of Solomon Islands,” Minister Bishop said.
“I’m pleased our two nations are working towards a security treaty that would enable Australia to provide emergency assistance should Solomon Islands request it.”
Foreign Minister Bishop’s visit was the first stop in a three-nation bipartisan Pacific visit. Ms Bishop was accompanied by Australia’s Minister for International Development and the Pacific, Senator Concetta Fierravanti-Wells and Opposition shadow ministers Senator Penny Wong and Senator Claire Moore.
The all-female delegation shared their respective leadership stories with over sixty women at the launch of the Solomon Islands Professional Women’s Network – a new platform for professional women to share their experiences and develop leadership skills for careers in business, civil society and government.
The delegation also visited the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) Headquarters to learn first-hand about the enormous progress made by the RSIPF with RAMSI’s support. The Foreign Minister thanked Pacific nations for their contributions to RAMSI and their investment in the peace and stability of Solomon Islands over the past thirteen years.
“We are working closely with the Government of Solomon Islands on a new police capacity development program which will build on the work of RAMSI and support the RSIPF as it grows from strength to strength,” Minister Bishop said.
Foreign Minister Bishop thanked the people of Solomon Islands for their warm hospitality and welcome. She reaffirmed Australia’s long-standing commitment to supporting peace and stability in Solomon Islands, and highlighted the strong friendship that Australia and Solomon Islands continue to share.
