Solomon Islands. Looking to transform the country’s development and to eradicate poverty.
It was outlined at the 74th United Nations General Assembly in New York, United States last week; the Solomon Islands government in 2018 had passed the Development Bank of Solomon Islands (DBSI) Act 2018 to re-establish the DBSI.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade, Jeremiah Manele made the announcement and said the SIG had policies to eradicate poverty in the country.
According to an article written by Journalist, Eddie Osifelo, and published today, Wednesday, in the Island Sun newspaper, Mr. Manele told the UNGA gathering, quote:
The Bank (DBSI) will facilitate the economic and social development of Solomon Islands within the government’s national development Strategy.
“The emphasis will be on the participation of Solomon Islanders in economic development as well as stimulating industrial activities,” he said.
The Salmon Islands government has also doubled the basic minimum wage in the country from August this year to increase the purchasing capacity of workers to cope with the high cost of food, electricity, rent, transport and school fees.
“We will also review our personal tax exemption threshold for workers.
“Attention is being paid on how the most vulnerable can benefit from rapid technological developments and interconnectivity,” he said.
“The Undersea Cable that will link Honiara to Sydney is a critical transformative infrastructure that will bring the government closer to its people.
“The submarine cable will be commissioned and go live in December this year.
“I thank the Government of Australia – the main financier of this transformative project,” he said.
“The Solomon Islands government has embarked on an ambitious and transformative infrastructure development agenda called the National Transport Core (NTC) that aims to connect all of the 50 constituencies in our 10 provinces and 100 percent of our population within 15 years.
“The first phase of this transformative infrastructure program that involves building of roads, bridges, ports, airports and procurement of well-designed ferries aim to connect 37 constituencies and 75 percent of our population in the first 10 years.
“The government is also exploring other innovative modes of revenue and partnerships as we look to transform our country’s development,”
Yours sincerely
Frank Short
