SOLOMON Islands Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure Development, Manasseh Maelanga, called on donors to continue joining hands to support infrastructure development for the Bina Harbour project at the Pacific Infrastructure Conference in Brisbane, Australia, last week.
Minister for Infrastructure Development, Manasseh Maelanga, appealed for any assistance from development partners targeting infrastructure development for the Bina Harbour project in Malaita Province.
He said the project is a major investment for the country.
Calling for contributions from development partners and donors to the national project, the Deputy Prime Minister noted that the Bina Harbour project is important for the country to maximize revenue from its tuna resources because it aims to earn more of the tuna value chain by processing tuna products locally.
“I appeal to our global friends to assist with the major infrastructure investment required to bring Bina Harbor to reality.
“We were fortunate to have the generous support of the Australian and New Zealand governments and the International Finance Corporation to bring the Bina Harbor development to the point where we have the required land mobilized, financial and economic analyses, and a business case developed to attract credible investors,” Maelanga added.
Solomon Islands’ tuna resource is the single most important renewable resource, currently providing around 10 percent of government revenue through fishing access fees.
The Solomon Islands Government, in partnership with Australia and New Zealand and the International Finance Corporation (IFC), has already committed funding to the initial phases of the project.
Source: OPMC Press