Prime Minister (PM) Jeremiah Manele on Tuesday met with the Solomon Islands Honorary Consul-General based in Canada Ashwant Dwivedi.
During the brief meeting PM acknowledged Dwivedi for his continued commitment and dedication to the nation in strengthening bilateral relations between Canada and the Solomons.
“Canada is a valuable partner to Solomon Islands, and it is in the interest of both countries that their bilateral relationship must grow from strength to strength,” the PM said.
Dwivedi is on a three days visit to Solomon Islands is also the chairman of the Canadian International Training and Education Corp (CITREC).
During the courtesy call, Mr. Dwivedi reiterated that Canada is important and a valuable partner to Solomon Islands.
He added that Solomon Islands need to tap more opportunities in Canada in expanding its scope of engagement.
“Besides labour mobility, there are other areas of cooperation that the two countries need to explore, and these are tourism, training and agricultural trade.”
Prime Minister Manele was also briefed on the recent development where the Government of Canada department of food imports has given import license to a Canadian Importer for importation of fresh fruits and vegetables.
The license includes frozen processed goods to be imported from the Pacific, an opportunity for Solomon Islands to maximize.
There is also a plan to expand the CITREC program to skilled trades sectors which will open opportunities for plumbers, electricians, joiners, cabinet makers and so forth.
Prime Minister Manele expressed the need to explore other areas such as short-term training for our local Police Force (RSIPF).
PM Manele further expressed that the two countries need to work closely in the tourism space, tapping the opportunities that comes with Fiji’s direct flight connection to the Canadian route via Nadi.
The Prime Minister also concurred that Solomon Islands must tap the opportunity to enhance agricultural trade with Canada. And that responsible government ministries must seize this opportunity.
Guadalcanal Province, Makira Province and East Are’are constituency are current beneficiaries of the program.
Guadalcanal Province is in the process resuming the program after the last executive disbanded it.
- PMO
