A US$1.5 million tourism project recently approved by the Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF) Board in Geneva has now been finally launched by the Solomon Islands Minister of Tourism and Culture Hon Samuel Manetoali.
The project document was put together by the EIF National Implementation Unit (NIU) within the External Trade Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs & External Trade in close collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism and Solomon Islands Visitors’ Bureau (SIVB).
The project funding will go toward assisting the Ministry of tourism and SIVB in addressing some of the tourism related needs identified in the project proposal which if fully implemented will contribute to the overall development of the country’s tourism industry.
Speaking during the launch at Mendana Hotel, Mr Manetoali said the project was an important milestone for the Country which is expected to help address some challenges facing the country’s tourism industry.
“I am confident that the project will help address some of the issues affecting the tourism sector and I can assure you that my staff at the Ministry of Culture and Tourism will work closely with the EIF National Implementation Unit (NIU) to ensure that the project is implemented according to the requirement by the EIF board,” Mr Manetoali said.
Mr. Manetoali also took the opportunity during the launch to thank the EIF board in Geneva for funding the project and also the NIU staff for their hard work in ensuring that the project was secured.
The project will systematically intervene in the areas of policy/legislations related to the tourism sector; promote Solomon Islands as a distinct visitor’s destination in the Pacific Region and strengthen the linkages of the tourism sector with the auxiliary sectors like agriculture and handicraft in a way that help create additional livelihood opportunities for people.
The project proposal was submitted in November 2013 after an endorsement by the National Trade Development Council (NTDC) and an Appraisal Committee constituted by NTDC.
The Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF) is a multi-donor programme which supports the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) in their effort to promote economic growth and sustainable development by addressing trade and trade-related constrains in order to build their capacity to trade and take advantage of global trade.
Meanwhile, vacancies for three new posts for the project have already been advertised in the local newspapers and candidates will be shortlisted as soon as all applications have been received.
The launching of the EIF Tier two project also coincided with the launching of the first ever website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs & External Trade.
Source: Press Release, Government Communications Unit