22 July 2016
AUSTRALIA’s MINISTER FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND THE PACIFIC MEETS WITH PRIME MINISTER SOGAVARE
Australia’s Minister for International Development and the Pacific, the Hon. Concetta Fierravanti-Wells met with Prime Minister of Solomon Islands, Hon. Manasseh Sogavare, at the 8th Australia-Solomon Islands Business Forum in Brisbane today.
Meeting in the first week of the new term of the Australian Government reflects the enduring warmth and closeness of the relationship between Solomon Islands and Australia.
Minister Wells and Prime Minister Sogavare discussed the success of the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI) over the past 13 years.
Minister Wells said RAMSI had overseen the restoration of law and order, the rebuilding of national institutions and the reformation of the Solomon Islands economy.
“While RAMSI is scheduled to leave in mid-2017, Australia maintains a long-term commitment to the future stability and prosperity of Solomon Islands.”
The pair also discussed Australia’s development agenda in Solomon Islands, which is transitioning from a focus on stability to growth.
Australia’s support is improving the enabling environment for business through improvements to economic infrastructure, skills and increasingly in the area of aid for trade.
Speaking at the Forum, Minister Wells congratulated business leaders who are investing and creating employment opportunities in Solomon Islands; creating goods, delivering services, and expanding supply chains.