PAPUA New Guinea Prime Minister, James Marape arrived in Solomon Islands last night to attend the inaugural Papua New Guinea–Solomon Islands Investment Conference.
Aimed at creating a strong political and historical relationship between the two neighbouring Melanesian nations, the conference will focus on Trade, Investment, Jobs and Business opportunities. Themed From Opportunity to Investment: Building the PNG–Solomon Islands Growth Corridor, the two-day conference is being held at the Heritage Park Hotel in Honiara from19–20 August 202.
Marape was welcomed in Honiara by the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force in a guard of honour parade. He was met by Solomon Islands Prime Minister Matthew Wale.
Marape says the conference is about taking the strong relationship between Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands to its next important phase.
“We have longstanding historical, cultural and people-to people ties. Our governments enjoy very good relations. We must now use that foundation to generate greater economic opportunities for our people. We want to move from opportunity to actual investment, and from Government-to-Government Cooperation into stronger Business-to-Business Partnerships,” Marape says. In June PNG and Solomon Islands signed the Framework Agreement on Development and Economic Cooperation 2026–2030.
A platform for closer cooperation in Trade and Investment, Mining, Fisheries, Agriculture, Infrastructure and other areas of mutual economic interest.
Prime Minister Marape said the conference was an important practical step in implementing that commitment.
“When Prime Minister Wale visited Port Moresby, we agreed that our relationship must produce tangible outcomes for our countries. We have established the Government Framework,” said Marape
Following the Agreement, Prime Minister Marape said the Private Sectors of both countries will need to identify projects, establish partnerships and turn those opportunities into investment.
“Our discussions in Honiara will look particularly at Agriculture, Fisheries, Mining, Energy, Tourism, Infrastructure, Financial Services, Telecommunications, Transport and Downstream Processing.” Marape said.