PRIME Minister Rick Houenipwela says his government is working towards creating a better Solomon Islands for its citizens.
Speaking during the Australia Solomon Islands Business Forum in Brisbane on Wednesday this week, the Prime Minister said his government has a vision and mission and that is to empower all Solomon Islanders to attain a meaningful, quality of life through social and economic reforms.
Since becoming Prime Minister November last year, one of the immediate tasks undertaken by Mr Houenipwela and his Government was setting the foundation and platform for the incoming Government next year.
“My Government is working towards creating a better Solomon Islands. Despite our ongoing challenges, I am confident our best forty years is still ahead of us,” he said.
The Prime Minister was speaking on the Forum’s theme “Forty years of Australian Solomon Islands Business Partnership”.
“I welcome constructive criticism, and I know this Forum is willing to provide it. There are no easy solutions,” he said.
The Prime Minister said his Government looks forward to receiving outcomes and recommendations from the Forum discussions over the next few days.
“It is my sincere hope that this Forum will one day graduate out of the auspicious of Australian Pacific Business Council to a fully-fledged Australia – Solomon Islands Business Council,” he said.
Prime Minister Houenipwela said Solomon Islands like any other country needs investment.
In this regard, he said the platform and partnership between the Australia Pacific Islands Business Council and Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce and Industries, offer a unique mechanism that could promote and enhance effective PPP initiatives and joint projects between Australia and Solomon Islands.
The Prime Minister said his Government welcomes more Australian investments into Solomon Islands but must be done within the bounds of the country’s laws.
“I encourage the Forum to step up your efforts to pursue investments in Solomon Islands and continue to provide information about prospective business opportunities that members of the Forum can invest on jointly or individually in the Solomon Islands,” he said.
–OPMC PRESS
