SIG signs Rural Development Aid program with World Bank

Solomon Islands Finance Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo yesterday signed with the World Bank a SI$150-million dollar five-year Rural Development programme.

The program aims to strengthen the rural economy to promote growth, create jobs and to increase incomes.

It also covers the improvement of rural-based infrastructure and agriculture services which have been prioritised by villagers through consultation and participation.

The programme will also support small business development in partnership with Commercial banks.

The programme will initially start in four provinces and on to all the provinces.

Government will soon put in place a team to oversea the implementation of the programme and will work closely with provincial governments.

World Bank's Director for Sustainable Development for the Pacific says under the leadership of the government, they've been able to partner with the European Commission and RAMSI to jointly support the government's efforts to bring development to rural areas.

RAMSI's Rural development Adviser Doctor Paul Green says the joint efforts is a demonstration of a partnership between the government of Solomon islands and its development partners.

Source: SIBC