PM discusses new development proposals with ADB

ADB Board Members paid a courtesy visit to the PM today to discuss ongoing and proposed opportunities with the Prime Minister

PRIME Minister Rick Houenipwela has met with the Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) Board of Directors at the Office of the Prime Minister & Cabinet yesterday.

The Prime Minister took the opportunity to thank the ADB Board for their continuous support to Solomon Islands over the years.

“ADB has been with us for more than 40 years and has continued to support Solomon Islands in its development aspirations,” he said.

Prime Minister Hou also acknowledged ADB for its contributions in the transport, infrastructure and energy sector.

He said ADB’s support to the Tina Hydro Project is expected to reduce electricity costs in the country and also improve sustainable energy in the country.

“I also welcome ADB’s interest to advance projects in the energy sector to other provinces,” he said.

Mr Hou has also shared the Government’s vision for the next five years as the Government embarks on huge infrastructure projects ahead of the 2023 Pacific Games.

The Prime Minister said the road transportation project under ADB will be one of those important development infrastructures.

“Apart from that, I am also pleased to note that ADB has also embarked on wharf projects around the country. This is one of the most important infrastructure in Solomon Islands especially for our people in the rural areas,” he said.

ADB’s Board of Director’s Team Leader In-Chang Song on behalf of the ADB Board thank the Prime Minister for availing his time to meet with them.

Mr Song said ADB is always pleased to be supporting the advancement and the development aspirations of the Solomon Islands.

Song also informed the Prime Minister of ADB’s emerging Strategy 2030 and discuss how ADB is looking towards improving their modalities of knowledge sharing and the delivery of financial products.

He said they also had site visits to ADB supported energy, urban and infrastructure projects.

“We also had interactions with project beneficiaries, met with civil society groups and private sector representatives,” he said.

Prime Minister Hou and the ADB Board of Directors also discussed new and important development opportunities that ADB and Solomon Islands will explore.

After the meeting, the Prime Minister, Cabinet ministers and the ADB Board also witnessed the signing of a grant agreement between the Asian Development Bank and the Solomon Islands Government.

The visiting ADB Executive Directors are Mr In-chang Song, Mr Tony McDonald, Mr Syurkani Ishak Kasim, Mr Shahid Mahmood, Mr Philip Rose, Mr Kris Panday, Mr Mahbub Ahmed, and Mr Enrique Galan.

–OPMC PRESS

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