SOLOMON Islands Prime Minister Matthew Wale wants better alignment between development partners and national priorities and help deliver tangible results for the people.
Speaking at the opening of the Solomon Islands Development Partnership Summit, he said the government’s priorities included free education, affordable electricity, stronger institutions, responsible decentralisation, and people-centred development.
Wale noted that stronger cooperation between government and development partners was essential to achieving the country’s development goals.
He said the GREAT Coalition Government’s reform agenda focused on strengthening institutions, restoring trust, upholding the rule of law, and ensuring government serves the people.
“We are rebuilding trust between government and our people, and between government and our development partners, anchored in openness, mutual respect, transparency, and accountability,” he said.
While the country is building its manufacturing base, he said there is a need to transform the economy by strengthening agriculture, fisheries, forestry, tourism, mining, energy, commerce, and small and medium enterprises.
“We are resolved to transform this economy and widen the horizon of opportunity for every Solomon Islander,” he said.
He urged development partners to invest in local business by increasing the use of local content and national systems, support coordinated national programmes and ensure development investments create greater benefits for Solomon Islanders and local business.
“Let this summit mark the passage from dialogue to action, from commitments to implementation, and from scattered individual projects to a coordinated national development effort,” he said. Wale called for continued support during the transition towards greater self-reliance as the country is set to move from Least Developed Country status in December 2027.
