The Island Sun newspaper this afternoon,Thursday, published details of some new initiatives proposed by the Solomon Islands government relating to tourism and developments.
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The Ministry of Tourism and Culture in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Medical Services are planning to introduce a ‘green lane’ for international tourists and tourism investors before the reopening of the border.
Tourism Minister Bartholomew Parapolo confirmed this during the Sine Die motion in Parliament last week.
Mr. Parapolo said this exercise is important for his ministry in 2022 as it will allow much needed revenue inflows for tourism businesses and the government.
He said the ‘green lane’ entry concept will also ensure to facilitate and secure investment interests and overseas investors who are keen to establish tourism operation before the border reopen.
Mr. Parapolo confirmed other countries in the world have used this ‘green lane’ where a world system has data input of those people who get their vaccination against covid-19.
In Philippines, it was reported that arriving passengers who can avail of “green lanes” no longer need to observe a mandatory quarantine upon arrival in the Philippines, so long as they are fully vaccinated and test negative for the coronavirus.
The Minister of Commerce, Industries, Labour and Immigration, Frederick Kologeto has updated some of the government’s project under the re-direction policy.
These include the Kirakira Cocoa Oil factory supposed to be completed this year, construction of Bonale pineapple factory this year and the Malu’u Fishery project.
Speaking during the Sine Die motion in Parliament, Mr. Kologeto said the delay of the Kirakira cocoa oil factory was due to re design.
He said the building should happen in 2022 and comes under the budget of the Government.
Furthermore, Mr. Kologeto stressed that the Bonale Pineapple project belongs to the government and not to the Provincial government.
He said the good news is the US SCALE project has told the Ministry to take on board the project, so it will progress next year.
Furthermore,Mr. Kologeto said the Ministry has also funded the Malu’u fishery project.
“We have renovated it and completed it,” he added.
According to the Government, the policy redirection aims to support the economy in response to negative impacts of COVID-19 while maintaining a continued long-term focus on developing Solomon Islands into an economically strong and vibrant nation and advance the livelihood of our people.
This will be achieved by investing heavily on the primary industries and downstream processing.
This includes providing price and support subsidies to the main agricultural export crops such as copra and cocoa, promote kava export and embark on a national expansion program for noni production.
“Some of these development initiatives will require partnership with the private sector hence, the government is formalizing the public private partnership (PPP) approach as one of the many approaches that DCGA will utilize to implement its policy redirection”, PM Sogavare told parliament recently.
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Source. Island Sun newspaper
Yours sincerely
Frank Short
