BY MIKE TUA
PAPUA New Guinea business investment in the Solomon Islands stands at SBD2.3 Billion in 2019 before the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Papua New Guinea/Solomon Islands Association President, Carson Korowa.
Speaking at the fundraising dinner held at the Mendana Hotel, Honiara over the weekend, Saturday night to support the Papua New Guinea’s (PNG) 47th Independence Day Anniversary Celebrations on September 16, 2022, Carson Korowa said the level of private sector business investment that Papua New Guinea registered companies have generated in the Solomon Islands stood at 698 million kina (SBD 2.3 billion).
“As of December 2019 before the Covid-19 pandemic, PNG investments in the Solomon Islands stood at 698 million kina, that is the level of invest PNG had in the Solomon Islands converted into today’s value in the Solomon Islands dollars (SBD), that value stood at SBD 2.3 billion,” said Korowa, who is also the Chief Executive Officer of South Pacific Oil Limited in Honiara.
Both Melanesian and neighboring countries have over the years continued to maintain robust relations through close cooperation across the political, economic, social, and cultural spectrum.
Sunday Isles understands that more than 10 PNG companies are operating in the Solomon Islands as part of the two countries’ continuous strengthening of relationships in terms of trade and investment.
Korowa highlighted that Papua New Guinea/Solomon Islands Association is a registered Association under the Solomon Islands Company Haus, and as a charitable organization, its purpose and vision are stipulated under the Solomon Islands Charitable Acts, which is to help in non-profitable-making activities.
He made mention that the three main objectives or vision of the Association are:
“To provide fellowship and bonding amongst Papua New Guineans based in the Solomon Islands with our Solomon Islands friends who have interests in Papua New Guinea in one way or the other i.e. through education, family relationships, and professional connections and through vital means that able to bring the two nations together.
“Secondly to create opportunities for the Papua New Guineans so that they can take most of what the Solomon Islands has to offer. So that they can enjoy their stay in his country.
“Thirdly to give back to the Solomon Islands for what the Solomon Islands has given to us. And to do that is through charitable means and some of the funds raised in this fundraising will go towards those charitable costs and the rest towards this year’s PNG independence celebrations,” he said.
Carson Korowa later acknowledged the presence of Solomon Islanders, international friends, and PNG nationals and corporate organizations attending the fundraising dinner.
“On behalf of the Papua New Guinea/Solomon Islands Association to extend our gratitude and appreciation to all corporate organizations.
“We thank the people of Solomon Islands, who have accepted or extended the courtesy to receive us in your arms that we can come and be able to sit here and enjoy and live a peaceful life.
“We want to thank our friends, and other nationalities who are here, thank you that you can come and participate with us in our fundraising dinner occasion.
“We thank you our fellow Papua New Guineans, a lot of us because of our various business backgrounds, and occupations that we have, we hardly see each other but if we do only in small groupings. But thank you for coming together so that we can celebrate this fundraising occasion.
“When I say Papua New Guineans, what I mean is everybody who calls PNG home from our borders with Indonesia to the West to Bougainville – that is what is PNG. From every single island from Manus to the North to Milne Bay in the South and connecting the Western province to Torres Straits in Australia. And those who come to our shores and who want to live and call PNG home,” Korowa said.
He also thanked God for all the provisions of life especially for His protection to allow organizers and participants to make the event possible.
“We thank God for all the provisions, we live from day to day basis, who leads, blesses and guides us especially to come and gather on this special occasion. We give glory to God for being such a Wonderful God who we serve.”
Attending the fundraising dinner were Solomon Islanders with other PNG nationals working at the South Pacific Oil Limited (SPOL), Bank of the South Pacific (BSP), Deloitte Auditing Firm, Credit Corp Solomon Islands Limited, Liberty Security Service, and others.
