MINISTER for Foreign Affairs and External Trade Jeremiah Manele on behalf of the Solomon Islands Government expressed his appreciation towards the Japanese Government describing it as a deep friendship between the two countries.
His sentiments were made before he signed the Exchange of Notes with the Japanese Ambassador to the Solomon Islands His Excellency (H.E) Morimoto Yasuhiro yesterday.
The Government of Japan approved a loan total amount of Two Billion Five Hundred million Yen (2,500,000,000) roughly about SBD 190 million.
And that was to facilitate Japan’s support towards the government’s efforts to fight against COVID-19.
Manele confirmed that the support by Japan towards Solomon Islands Government’s fight against the COVID-19 pandemic is in a form of a loan.
“It is to promote economic stabilisation and developmental responses against COVID-19.
“This loan will be available under the COVID-19 Rapid Response Program co-financed by Asian Development Bank (ADB),” he explained.
He further added that the loan is intended to support and cater for budgetary expenditures incurred in the country’s effort to fight against COVID-19.
“And it will be made available by a loan agreement to be concluded between the Solomon Islands Government and the Government of Japan through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA),” Manele explained.
This exchange of note formalise that arrangement which shows that the government accepted the offer and it has already gone through the Cabinet and agreed to this loan.
Manele further stated that after the exchange of notes the Japanese Embassy through JICA and the Ministry of Finance and Treasury will have to look at the actual loan agreement itself and its details.
Manele said this support will greatly assist the government in its work to fight against COVID-19 at all fronts.
Meanwhile, this paper understands that last week Japan and Solomon Islands Government signed the Exchange of Notes and Grant Aid for the Kukum Highway Phase 2 project
