Construction of the new Australia‑supported Malu’u Market is underway, with local contractor Exodus Trade Development commencing site clearing, excavation and seawall works.
The new Malu’u Market will boost economic activity in North Malaita, with space for up to 140 vendors, and toilet and shower facilities for vendors, including women, men and people with disabilities.
The market will also include 40,000 litres of fire-fighting water storage, a 3,000-litre rainwater harvesting tank, solar lighting, and improved waste management and sanitation systems.
Australian High Commissioner Jeff Roach said Malu’u was the fifth market to be commenced or completed by local companies in the past two years, reflecting Australia’s approach of supporting Solomon Islanders to deliver their own economic and social infrastructure.
“At the heart of these projects are people. Projects like these are creating skilled jobs for hundreds of Solomon Islanders and giving thousands of vendors a more comfortable place to sell their produce, with facilities for women, men and people with disabilities,” Mr Roach said.
“Markets play a central role in communities, bringing people together to buy and sell goods, and helping families pay for school fees and other household expenses.”
Exodus Trade Development Managing Director, Mr Jeremiah Fono’ota, said his local team was well equipped to deliver the project and proud to be building a market for the people of Malaita.
“This is a real opportunity for local companies like ours to step up and deliver bigger, overseas‑funded projects to a high standard and on time,” Mr Fono’ota said.
“We’re working closely with the community to source materials and labour locally, so the project runs smoothly and supports the local economy,” Mr Fono’ota said.
Australia is also supporting local communities to transplant more than 3,000 mangroves and plant coastal trees in the coming months to help protect the foreshore in front of the market from the impacts of climate change.
