24 Aug 2017

ADB encourages Solomons to improve rural development

9:58 am on 24 August 2017

The president of the Asian Development Bank has called on Solomon Islands to improve rural development and access to basic services.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is an Asia regional development organization dedicated to reducing poverty in Asia and the Pacific.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is an Asia regional development organization dedicated to reducing poverty in Asia and the Pacific. Photo: AFP/ Jay Directo

Takehiko Nakao is in Honiara this week where he met the prime minister Manasseh Sogavare and finance minister Snyder Rini.

Mr Nakao commended Solomon Islands for its progress in transport, renewable energy and public sector management but pointed out that many challenges remained.

He said it is important the Solomons continues to work with the ADB and other development partners to support broad-based economic growth and there is no room for complacency.

According to the ADB economic growth in the Solomon Islands accelerated modestly in 2016 to 3.2 percent but will moderate to 3 percent in 2017 and 2.8 percent in 2018.

Mr Nikao will visit ADB-supported road and bridge projects, hold meetings with the Central Bank, development partners, non-government organizations and business owners.

He will also make an official address to Cabinet Ministers at the Prime Minister's office, where he will discuss potential opportunities for ADB assistance and policy priorities for Solomon Islands.

Mr Nikao will also participate in a ground-breaking ceremony to kickstart the upgrading of the University of the South Pacific's Honiara Campus, which is supported by a $US15.4 million concessional ADB loan.

Solomon Islands has been an ADB member since 1973.

The ADB has approved 19 concessional loan projects totaling $US123.42 million, 15 grant projects totaling $US160.52 million, and 75 technical assistance projects worth $US31.2 million.