BY SAMIE WAIKORI
Makira Ulawa province is eyeing Guizhou province in China to have sister relations with.
Makira Ulawa is pursuing the current trend of provinces establishing sub-national relations with provinces in China.
The Renbel province is the latest, as delegation representing the province is currently in China to sign the Letter of Intent (LOI) to begin preparation to establish sister relationship with Hainan province.
Next is Makira Ulawa province. It follows an offer from Guizhou province – showing interest for sister-relationship, answering the long-sought of Makira Ulawa province for sister relationship, according to Premier of Makira Ulawa province, Stanley Siapu.
“We did enquiries, and with the assistance of PRC embassy office, we were able to get an offer of interest from Guizhou province in China.
“The Foreign Affairs office of the province had sent us the offer, and MUP is happy to pursue the undertaking with them,” he affirmed.
Siapu noted the two provinces are yet to discuss what would like for sister relationship, but MUPG proposed areas such as people to people relationship that encourages exchange visits to the province.
“Other key areas included; education, health, agriculture, fisheries, tourism and other areas of interests.
“If possible, we would attract interest to go right down to communities in the province to engage with women, youths, children and people with disability.
“One key area is shipping and we will explore opportunities under the proposed relationship to support MUP.
“Additionally, we will look at products or commodities the province could produce to export to Guizhou,” he said.
Siapu said MUPG is looking forward to formally sit with the PRC embassy office to get guidance on steps required to be taken to establish the sister-relationship.
He said from there, MUPG expects round-table discussion with Guizhou province to look at the MOU, before signing the establishment of the sister relationship.
