New Zealand demonstrating its closeness to the people of the Solomon Islands with financial support, equipment supplies and partnership ties.
This week the Solomon Islands has seen the New Zealand “Can Do” spirit very much evident with financial support, equipment deliveries and a partnership deal with YECSI.
The latest news relayed by the Solomon Star newspaper has said, quote.
“The New Zealand Government through its embassy in Honiara has delivered NZ$3m (SBD$15m) to the country to prepare Gizo and Kilu’ufi hospitals for a possible infiltration of COVID-19.
“NZ High Commissioner, Her Excellency Georgina Roberts during the handing over of the letter of support to the Secretary to Prime Minister Dr. Jimmy Rodgers, said the support was just one part of the paperwork that has been under conversation with key officials on how NZ’s budget support could be best utilised.
“Dr Rogers commented that the $15m budget support would go towards the upgrading of Gizo Hospital in Western Province and Kilu’ufi in Malaita.”
Earlier it had been made known that the Young Entrepreneurs Council Solomon Islands (YECSI) and the New Zealand Government had formalised a partnership to support the development of young Solomon Islanders in a signing ceremony last week.
The partnership will fundamentally support the development of YECSI as an organisation including staff capacity and YECSI membership services and programmes for the next three years towards progressing YECSI’s work in developing and supporting young people with their business pursuits.
“On behalf of the YECSI Board, Secretariat and its members, Miss Millicent Barty had said of the partnership, “This speaks volumes of the commitment the New Zealand Government has towards facilitating and promoting an enabling environment for our young people in Solomon Islands, not just for YECSI’s role in the economic empowerment space but also other youth development initiatives and organisations alike,” she added.
New Zealand High Commissioner, Ms Roberts had replied saying New Zealand recognized the important role YECSI plays in ensuring the voices of young Solomon Islanders are heard.
It will be recalled that the New Zealand government supplied essential medical equipment needed in the Isolation Wards and Intensive Care Unit and the National Referral Hospital (NRH)
Thank you, New Zealand.
Yours sincerely
Frank Short