BY LYNTON AARON FILIA
In Taiwan
leader Tourism PS Andrew Nihopara. Read story on page 4. PHOTO BY LYNTON AARON FILIA
FOUR local prominent figures are among 60 participants from the Asia Pacific region in Taipei for the 2017 Nihao Taiwan Study Camp for Future Leaders: Diplomatic Allies and Partner Countries II.
The programme begins from September 20-29 and allows participants to learn more of Taiwan’s economy and its history and culture.
Proposed themes to be covered include Taiwan’s political and economic development, international economic cooperation and efforts to reduce energy use and carbon emissions.
Participants will also discuss environmental protection, epidemic prevention, local cuisine and natural scenery with an aim to cultivate global perspective, increase knowledge of Taiwan and foster friendship between participants.
The event is sponsored by Taiwanese Government through Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the ROC (Taiwan) in collaboration with Good Service Company Ltd.
Team leader for Solomon Islands delegation, Permanent Secretary for Tourism, Andrew Nihopara said, “The camp provides Solomon delegates with an opportunity to better understand the economic and political fabric of the relationship between Solomon Islands and Taiwan.”
He also adds it could help in exploring existing and new platforms for stronger and widespread economic partnerships in key sectors for growth in Solomon Islands.
“The friendship and relationship between SI and ROC Taiwan spans over more than decades and from tourism perspective, this long standing relationship must be translated into people and cultural exchange that would yield economic impact.
“Taiwanese tourist outbound market is a matured outbound market and therefore it presents a huge opportunity for SI to start tapping this tourist market which signals of commitment at government level are favourable as both countries continue to cement their political ties.
“This needs to translate into tourism also as a sustainable economic proposition for both countries.
“It is for this reason that the camp provides a prime opportunity for SI to establish necessary dialogue for tourism through formal discussions that will unfold over the next few days.”
He adds, the event gives them the opportunity to share experiences and draw on valuable lessons from their respective engagements with ROC (Taiwan) in various sector developments.
The camp also provides avenue for participants to better understand how and where ROC’s (Taiwan) diplomatic and development assistance programmes can be further expanded to reach wide in-country stakeholders in various Pacific countries.
Yesterday, the 60 participants and staff from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Good Services Company convened in dinner for the official opening.
Solomon Islands delegation comprises of the Director for Infrastructure Development Mr Harry Rini, Registrar of Cooperative Societies, MCILI Mr Benjamin Inukoru and Christopher Waiwori from the PM’s Office, and Andrew Nihopara, PS for Tourism and Culture.
The actual study camp programme starts today.
