MINISTER of Foreign Affairs & External Trade Milner Tozaka has signed the Grant Agreement for the improvement of the Honiara International Airport project in Honiara, Friday.
The Agreement was signed between Minister Tozaka and the Chief Representative of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Takashi Toyama.
Delivering his speech during the ceremony, the Foreign Minister said 2018 marks a very important year for Solomon Islands and Japan on the bilateral and economic fronts.
Minister Tozaka said the recent success of the bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Rick Hou and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at the recent PALM 8 is testament to that success.
“The Government will continue to find new ways for closer engagement with Japan for more tangible benefits to our countries,” he said.
Mr Tozaka reiterated that Japan remains the leading development partner in infrastructure development in Solomon Islands.
“This airport project is yet another of Japan’s success stories towards Solomon Islands infrastructure and economic development,” he said.
Therefore, he said the Solomon Islands Government welcomes the continuous cooperation and support by the Japanese Government.
The Grant Agreement signing is yet another milestone following the exchange of notes agreement signed by Minister Tozaka and Japan’s Foreign Minister Taro Kono in Tokyo, Japan in May this year.
The four billion three hundred and sixty-four million Japanese Yen (4,364,000,000), around SBD$290 million, will be directed towards the upgrading of the Honiara International Airport.
Minister Tozaka has also described the funding assistance as Japan’s largest by far in the Solomon Islands and in the region.
“Japan is a true friend that continues to support Solomon Islands in the country’s infrastructure development ambitions,” he said.
Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Communication and Aviation Moses Virivolomo also expressed similar sentiments when conveying his gratitude to Japanese Government and JICA.
He said Japan has invested about $500 Million USD in infrastructure development in Solomon Islands since the 1980s to date.
Mr Virivolomo said initially work is expected to begin at the end of this year and the aim is to have it completed before the 2023 Pacific Games.
The project is expected to be constructed by Japanese firms.
