Former Malaita Premier Suidani urges Tokyo to invest in two crucial projects in Malaita Province to ensure business and development activities for economic growth and prosperity
FORMER Premier of Malaita Province Daniel Suidani has called on Japan to invest in the Bina Habour Tuna Processing Project and to tar-seal the province’s road network to ensure the efficient flow of business and development activities and stimulate economic growth and prosperity.
Mr Suidani made the call in a press conference held at the Japanese Embassy in Honiara yesterday following a tour to Japan to partake in the Japan-Indo Pacific Studies. The key objective of the Japan tour was to learn cultures and history of Japan and the participating countries in the programme. The tour commenced on October 1 and concluded on October 18.
“Japan’s investment in the Bina Harbour Tuna Processing Factory project and tarsealing of Malaita’s Road network which is the largest road network in the Solomon Islands will help ensure a flow of business and development activities in the province.
‘The Bina Harbour project will really help Malaita Province in its development once it is developed and the roads will play a significant role in the development of the province as well through providing mobility and easy access for business transactions and thereby develop the province.
“Since Malaita Province has the highest population in Solomon Islands, Japan’s investment in these two important projects will lead to further development activities in the province, providing economic and employment opportunities for Malaitans in their homeland,” Mr Suidani underscored.
Mr Suidani also took the opportunity to highlight the New Kilu’ufi Hospital project to be funded by Japan and also its many development assistance to Solomon Islands over the years.
“Records have shown that Japan have assisted Solomon Islands a lot since independence.
“In fact, records have shown that from 1978 to 2020 Japan has been in excess of 50 billion yen (about 500 million AUD) in support of Solomon Islands.
That is roughly 12 billion yen (12 million AUD) every year, and we have seen this in the major projects like the Henderson international airport, the Honiara international Seaport, the Honiara Main Market, the Kukum Highway Project and of course the Auki Wharf, the Auki Main Market and the soon to be the Kilu’ufi New Hospital Building but are just some of the invaluable assistance rendered by Japan over the years and for which we are grateful,” he added.
By IAN LADDS
Solomon Star, Honiara
