SI Minister speaks about regional development

The Solomon Islands Minister of Finance and new Vanuatu Chief, Gordon Darcy Lilo, has said that increasing cooperation is crucial to regional economic development.

Mr Lilo said this at Saturday’s ceremony marking the inaugural first Solomon Airlines flight from Brisbane to Honiara and Santos, Vanuatu. He says the service increases seats to Solomon Islands and Vanuatu by 50 percent.

Mr Lilo says the new service means that more tourists will come to the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu. He says extra flights also means more opportunities for local businesses to trade with neighbours and more opportunities for Solomon Islanders to travel for education and holidays.

The Minister says that the establishment of this new service was made possible by the Melanesian Spearhead Group.

In recognition of the new service the people of Samna Province enthroned the Minister of Finance as Chief Moletuetueni. This is a great honour in Vanuatu society where chiefs rank above Government in societal standing.

In thanking the people of Santos for the honour Minister Lilo highlighted the importance of the links between Melanesian nations and the contribution of the inaugural flight.

"We have made ourselves a commitment to develop the economies of the Melanesian region through the various investment potentials that we have. And today, what we have done signifies the vision that our leaders in Melanesia have been talking about for a number of years."

Source: SIBC