Senior officials from the Solomon Islands Government have held talks with a delegation from Bougainville this week to further strengthen trade links between Solomon Islands and Bougainville.
The key aim of the meeting is to explore how Solomon Islands and Bougainville could improve on the existing trade links and to capitalize on the growing foreign investment interests on Bougainville.
Head of the Bougainville delegation, Mr Sam Kaona informed the meeting that Bougainville currently has established strong investment connections with South East Asia, particularly, Singapore and their wish is to share these opportunities with Solomon Islands.
He said the Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) believes that establishing strong partnerships and understanding with Solomon Islands is crucial for modern economic advancement for both parties.
“We wish to partner with Solomon Islands to further develop our existing trade links so that we can take it further so where there are obstacles, we can address together so that enhanced trade between our Islands can flourish,” Mr Kaona said.
Secretary to the Prime Minister, Jeffery Wickham who chaired the meeting said Solomon Islands is pleased with the initiative to establish further understanding on trade links between Bougainville and Solomon Islands.
He added that the Solomon Islands Government is keen to strengthen these links and to develop new business partnerships with Bougainville.
The talks covered areas including common border issues such as immigration, customs, quarantine, investment opportunities in fuel supplies, shipping services, grocery goods, agricultural commodities, fisheries and trade agreements and policies.
Officials from relevant SIG Ministries have been assigned to work together and maintain constant communication with their Bougainville counterparts to move the process forward.
Source: Press Release, Government Communications Unit