The Minister of Finance and Treasury, Hon. Harry Kuma and the Minister of Communication and Aviation Hon. Peter Shanel had fruitful high-level engagements in Beijing, Shenzhen and Taijen, from 3rd to 6th July, 2023.
Top on the engagement is a bilateral meeting with the Vice Chairman of China International Development Corporation Agency or CIDCA, the highest Government Authority that makes decisions on financial support or aid program around the World.
Minister Kuma presented Solomon Islands current most pressing financial challenges and formally outline the Government’s urgent financial support to implement priority commitment in 2023.
Minister Kuma and the Vice Chairman of CIDCA, Mr Zhong Haidong, further highlighted, the diplomatic relation signed between the Solomon Islands Government and PRC in 2019 produced a historical opportunity for growth and development, information sharing, development of human resources and exchange of goods and services in large and broad sectors.
Both leaders expressed that the first historical financing investment, the Solomon Islands National Broadband Infrastructure Project (SINBIP), solidifies the beginning of the long-term development and benefits for Solomon Islands. Both Ministers, also presented priority pipeline investment, which include potential investment in the Aviation infrastructure.
In Beijing, the Ministers also engaged with the Exim Bank of China. Minister Kuma acknowledged the President of the Exim Bank’s extra ordinary commitment to advance the final approval and effectiveness of the SINBIP. Future investment opportunities were also discussed. The delegation welcomed the President’s assurance to support Solomon Islands social and economic development through financing options offered by the Bank.
The delegation’s engagement with AIIB, re-enforced the Government’s interest to become a member of the Bank. This was presented to the President of AIIB, along with priority infrastructure investments proposal. The President assures the delegation that screening process to conclude the Governments interest will soon be finalized.
The two Ministers engagement with the Civil Aviation Authority of China, also established commitments to enhance future development cooperation between the two authorities through a Memorandum of Understanding.
The delegation also visited China Harbour Engineering Company and Huawei Technologies-engaged as contractors and vendors for telecommunications equipment for SINBIP.“The government through the ministry is pleased with the deployed designs and technological solutions proposed for SINBIP. This is an important achievement for the government and a unique opportunity for the people of Solomon Islands to benefit from 3G and 4G networks,” Minister in the Ministry of Communication and Aviation, Hon Peter Shanel Agovaka stated.
– OPMC
