HONIARA, SOLOMON ISLANDS – The Government of Prime Minister Hon. Matthew Wale is moving to take forward development initiatives previously discussed between Solomon Islands and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), with a stronger focus on turning those plans into practical outcomes.
The plans were reviewed in a bilateral meeting last week between Foreign Minister Hon. Rick Houenipwela and Omar Shehadeh, Envoy of the UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs to the Caribbean and Pacific States, during the 55th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in Koror, Palau.
The discussions build on initial work undertaken between the UAE and the previous GNUT Government, with the GREAT Coalition Government now identifying practical pathways to advance initiatives aligned with Solomon Islands’ development priorities.
“We have a number of areas that were already being discussed, and our task now is to see how we can take those discussions forward and translate them into practical outcomes for Solomon Islands,” Minister Houenipwela said.
Key areas include digital transformation, infrastructure, trade and investment, energy, fisheries, tourism, education and government efficiency.
The UAE has outlined potential support to modernise government services, including digital population and civil registration systems, e-government platforms, e-border systems, biometric passports, customs and taxation systems, and secure national data infrastructure.
Infrastructure and development financing were also discussed, including roads, ports, airport modernisation, renewable energy and tourism facilities. The UAE has indicated its readiness to explore concessional financing and private-sector participation in priority projects identified by Solomon Islands.
Fisheries value addition remains an important economic opportunity, particularly plans to expand tuna processing capacity in the populous province of Malaita. Discussions explored how UAE investment and development finance could support processing, create employment and retain greater economic value from Solomon Islands’ fisheries resources.
Energy was another priority, with discussions focusing on reducing the high cost of electricity and expanding renewable energy and microgrid solutions for communities outside the main grid.
Mr Shehadeh said the UAE’s approach was to respond to Solomon Islands’ own priorities and development needs.
“We want to work with Solomon Islands on what Solomon Islands needs and support the country in delivering those priorities,” he said.
He also proposed a small Solomon Islands technical taskforce to work with UAE counterparts to assess priority projects, develop practical solutions and establish implementation timelines.
Education and scholarships, including opportunities for Solomon Islanders to study in the UAE, were also discussed as part of strengthening people-to-people links.
Minister Houenipwela said the focus would be on ensuring that initiatives already identified can move towards implementation and deliver tangible benefits through investment, jobs, economic diversification and improved public services.
