The Solomon Islands Prime Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo has emphasised the importance of building trade links with Papua New Guinea.
The comment came as Solomon Islands hosted a large business delegation from PNG, which recently gave Honiara an 8.5 million US dollar assistance package for development.
Johnny Blades reports.
"This week's trip to Solomon Islands by a 100-member PNG trade delegation, led by Trade Minister Richard Maru, is being seen as a success in firming up private sector relationships between the two countries. Mr Maru says PNG is determined to grow business links with Solomon Islands, and is also looking at opening up labour mobility opportunities for Solomon Islanders in PNG. Mr Lilo says that national development gains in Solomon Islands can be significantly boosted by quality engagement in trade and investment with its large neighbour and fellow Melanesian nation."
