A joint team from Solomon Islands, Australia and Papua New Guinea (PNG) worked closely together this week to progress the Border Management System (BMS) project.
Australia is proud to be funding the SBD 18 million trilateral BMS project, which will boost Solomon Islands’ prosperity and security, simplifying the process for applying for a visa and facilitating the movement of people across the border.
The project is being implemented trilaterally, with Australia providing funding and technical expertise, and PNG – which already uses the same system – providing in-depth knowledge on visa and travel facilitation process.
“The BMS is a game-changer for Solomon Islands’ border management,” His Excellency Rod Hilton, High Commissioner to Solomon Islands said today.
“It means Solomon Islands will be able to both reap the economic benefits that come with the large numbers of visitors who want to travel to the country, while ensuring a high level of border security is maintained.”
In addition to boosting Solomon Islands’ border capability, the new system will make it possible for border officers to collaborate closely with other countries in the Pacific that use the same system, including PNG.
The team conducted workshops and technical tests throughout the week to calibrate the hardware and processes for the system, including a demonstration to senior officials from Solomon Islands, Australia and PNG (pictured).
“This project is a great example of Pacific countries working together to meet shared economic and security needs. We look forward to the successful implementation of the BMS and seeing it in action in 2025,” High Commissioner Hilton said.
