Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare received the first fourteen of forty vehicles donated by the Government of Republic of Korea to support transportation logistics during the 2023 Pacific Games from His Excellency Ho-Jeung Kang, the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Solomon Islands at the Hyundai Kosol Office in Ranadi on Monday 24th July 2023.
During the handover ceremony His Excellency Ambassador Kang, said Korea and Solomon Islands have a shared history in cooperating in a range of areas since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1978. He cited many areas of development cooperation including climate change, oceans, and fisheries. He also highlighted the major construction work led by K-water on the Tina River hydro project which will bring benefit to the people of Solomon Islands.
Ambassador Kang said his government was proud to support the Solomon Islands government in its efforts to successfully host the 2023 Pacific Games through its donation of forty vehicles which he hoped will provide momentum for Unity and prosperity in Solomon Islands.
On receiving the first 14 vehicles, the Prime Minister and Minister of the 2023 Pacific Games, Hon. Manasseh Damukana Sogavare expressed his government’s gratitude to the government of the Republic of Korea, saying… “please convey to your government the sincerest appreciation of my government for this tremendous assistance which I understand is worth one million United States dollars – approximately 8.3 million dollars in our currency.”
The forty vehicles, said Prime Minister Sogavare will help the National Hosting Authority support the Games Organizing Committee’s transportation and logistics fleet during the games, where most of the vehicles will be hired domestically.
Most of the forty vehicles will be stored by the NHA until closer to the games. Importantly the post games legacy use of the vehicles will be put in place before the vehicles are released for the games. This will ensure that following the games all vehicles will assume their respective legacy role they will have been allocated to before the games. Solomon Islands is on track to host the 17th Pacific Games in Honiara from the 19th of November to 2nd of December 2023.
– PM’s Press Secretariat
