BY JOHN HOUANIHAU
THE Coalition for Accountability Reform and Empowerment (CARE) is optimistic about the formation of the next government, aiming to increase job opportunities in the country.
Delivering his keynote address at the launch of the CARE Coalition on Wednesday 14 February in Honiara, Solomon Islands Democratic Party (SIDP) wing leader, Matthew Wale said CARE plans to build an economy that creates opportunities for Solomon Islanders.
Under the Political Parties Integrity Act of 2014, the Democratic Alliance Party (DAP), led by former Small-Malaita legislator Rick Houenipwela, and the Solomon Islands Democratic Party (SIDP), led by former opposition leader Matthew Wale, formed the party coalition known as CARE.
The former Opposition Leader and MP for Aoke/Langalanga said that through this investment, Solomon Islanders will be able to establish economies of scale and participate meaningfully in profitable economic activity on their own customary lands.
Wale said that the CARE coalition government will induce investments in high-value coconut processing plants to ensure that within the next four years, the Solomon Islands will no longer export copra.
“We want all our coconut processed right here in the Solomon Islands. This will create over 4,000 jobs over the next four years. Our coconuts will produce jobs here in the Solomon Islands. We expect that coconut processing alone will create a total of 10,000 new jobs. These are jobs that do not yet exist,” said Wale.
Hon. Wale stated that similarly, there will be new jobs created in coca processing, noni processing, and kava processing, where it is expected to create a total of 6,000 direct jobs from those jobs.
He said that a new national scientific research institute will be established to support these initiatives and ensure that the industry is able to compete on an international stage.
“Scientific research is not an option for our country, the Solomon Islands. We treated research like nothing. You know, we cut the copra and sent it over. After they are processed into oil, they are then sent back to us, where you can then use it for cooking,” he said.
Hon. Wale said that the CARE Government will ensure that all tuna ports in Solomon Islands waters are progressing over the next five years for onshore processing.
“Currently, our normal tuna processing has dropped to less than 10%. The rest are sent to Bangkok and Tokyo. Our fish is creating jobs in Tokyo and Bangkok when our people need the jobs here. The CARE government will induce investments in doubling the Noro Tuna processing plant to create an additional 2000 direct jobs at Noro,’’ he said.
He said that an approach will be taken to ensure the Bina Tuna Processing Plant can commence operation by 2027, creating another 4,000 direct jobs.
“So a total of 6,000 direct jobs are created from tuna processing,’’ Hon. Wale said.
Under the Political Parties Integrity Act of 2014, the Democratic Alliance Party (DAP), led by former Small-Malaita legislator Rick Houenipwela, and the Solomon Islands Democratic Party (SIDP), led by former opposition leader Matthew Wale, formed the party coalition known as CARE.
According to Hon. Wale, boosting productivity, raising stocks, boosting export revenue, and creating high-quality, long-term jobs are the key components of building a strong economy. In addition, existing plantations will be renovated, and the country’s output of tuna, coconuts, and cocoa will increase.
According to Hon. Wale, increasing productivity, stock prices, export income, and the creation of high-quality, long-term jobs are the key components of building a strong economy. In addition, existing plantations will be renovated, and the country’s output of tuna, coconuts, and cocoa will increase.
“Through a subsidized program, the CARE Government will increase the stock of coconut and cocoa by an additional 100,000 hectors each over the next four years,” Wale added.
