PRIME Minister Jeremiah Manele’s recent visit to the Gulf States of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia has attracted substantial funding support for the Solomon Islands, ranging from infrastructure, renewable energy, budgetary support, and social infrastructures.
During the Prime Minister’s visit, the Saudi Government agreed to provide immediate budgetary support of USD 1 million (SBD 8.3 million) for the Solomon Islands.
The Saudi Government has also indicated support to the Government to host the 54th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders meeting in 2025 including additional support towards a legacy program through the National Hosting Authority for the use of the PG2023 facilities.
Solomon Islands anticipates substantial financial support on these priority areas of more than USD 8.4 million (approximately SBD70 Million) in grant funding.
The Saudi Fund for Development (SDF) also conveyed strong interest in providing concessional funding for the SIBC 6.5 Megawatts US$8.5 million Solar farm. The Saudi Fund is prepared to commence dialogue and negotiation with SIBC and the Government to progress this project.
The Saudi Government through the SDF also expressed keen interest in being part of partners, likely to be the United Arab Emirates (Abu Dhabi Fund for Development) to consider concessional funding for the Dala to Atori Road tar sealing project in Malaita province.
These Gulf funding agencies also indicated interest in supporting the Solomon Islands to develop its medium to long-term transformative infrastructure projects including the Tina River Hydro project, the Bina Harbour Fisheries Project; Renewable energy projects, Roads, and support to social infrastructure projects for schools and hospitals through concessional financing.
