Prime Minister Honourable Jeremiah Manele, MP, this morning held a bilateral meeting with the President of French Polynesia, His Excellency Moetai Charles Brotherson, at the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (OPMC).
Following an exchange of gifts, Prime Minister Manele formally welcomed President Brotherson on his first visit to Solomon Islands. President Brotherson described the country as “beautiful”.
During the discussions, President Brotherson offered to share French Polynesia’s extensive experience in the tourism sector to support Solomon Islands in developing its own tourism industry.
The President also expressed interest in strengthening trade with Solomon Islands, highlighting his government’s efforts to reduce tariffs for Pacific Island countries. Other areas of discussion included the future of the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting (PIFLM) including French Polynesia’s intent to host PIFLM in 2030, with both leaders reaffirming their commitment to collective regional cooperation including the review of the regional architecture.
In response, Prime Minister Manele welcomed the opportunity to partner with French Polynesia in tourism development. He reiterated that the Government for National Unity and Transformation (GNUT) is guided by four key pillars: stability and unity, economic transformation, infrastructure development, and human capital development.
The Prime Minister emphasized that while Solomon Islands’ tourism industry is still in its early stages, such exchanges are crucial to the government’s ongoing economic transformation agenda. Both leaders agreed to explore a trainers’ training program through their relevant government institutions.
On trade, Prime Minister Manele acknowledged French Polynesia’s tariff reductions, noting they are consistent with Pacific regional integration. He said Solomon Islands has potential trade opportunities—though many are still developing—and stressed that enhancing trade is one of key strategies as Solomon Islands prepares transition from Least Developed Country (LDC) status to Developing Country status in 2027.
He highlighted SolTuna products, particularly Chili Taiyo, as a proven and popular item with potential for export to French Polynesia. At present, SolTuna products are exported to Fiji and Papua New Guinea under the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) arrangement.
Prime Minister Manele also proposed expanding Solomon Islands’ labour mobility scheme to French Polynesia, particularly in the health sector. He cited the current pilot arrangement with Niue, where fewer than 10 Solomon Islands nurses are serving, as an example of how the scheme could operate.
The bilateral meeting concluded with Prime Minister Manele reaffirming the warm welcome of the government and people of Solomon Islands to His Excellency Moetai Charles Brotherson for his attendance to the 54th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting.
