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Bilateral Partnership

PM Manele Meets Saudi Fund Officials on Priority Projects

By Eliza Kukutu

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PM Manele met with SFD CEO Sultan bin Abdulrahman Al-Marshad.

Prime Minister Hon. Jeremiah Manele met with the Chief Executive Officer of the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD), Sultan bin Abdulrahman Al-Marshad, during bilateral discussions in Vienna, Austria, on Monday.

The meeting focused on receiving updates regarding the processes and requirements to access development funding from the Saudi Fund for Development. This follows formal submissions made by the Solomon Islands Government for two key national projects: the Bina Harbour and tuna processing facility, and the Dala–Atori Road sealing project. A third project—the renewable energy proposal for the Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation (SIBC)—was also discussed.

The Bina Harbour and tuna processing facility is a flagship national project, estimated to cost approximately USD 200 million. Once completed, it will establish a modern, fully integrated tuna processing plant and port infrastructure at Bina in Malaita Province. The project includes the construction of a wharf, onshore processing facilities, utilities, and supporting infrastructure. It is expected to transform the fisheries sector, create employment opportunities for Solomon Islanders, and position the country as a significant player in the regional and global tuna industry.

The second project is the Dala–Atori Road sealing initiative. This infrastructure project will upgrade and seal the vital road corridor linking Dala to Atori in Malaita Province. Once sealed, the road will significantly improve transport connectivity for rural communities, reduce travel time, and support economic activity by improving access to markets and essential services.

Prime Minister Manele thanked Mr. Al-Marshad for the update and reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to working with relevant stakeholders to advance both projects through the necessary funding and technical review processes.

“I appreciate the information provided on the processes and implementation steps. We will engage with stakeholders on the ground to ensure the implementation work is carried out effectively,” the Prime Minister said.

Mr. Al-Marshad confirmed that once the technical and other implementation processes are completed, the proposals will be presented to the Saudi Fund’s board for consideration.

“Once the technical processes and other implementation stages are done, we will present the proposals to the board,” he said.

Mr. Al-Marshad also emphasized the importance of the Solomon Islands Government quickly implementing the other renewable energy project, which is jointly funded by the SFD and the Asian Development Bank.

Since assuming office in 2024, the Manele Government has prioritized securing funding and support for critical infrastructure projects aimed at boosting economic development and improving service delivery. While initial discussions with the Saudi Fund began before 2024, the current Government is taking proactive steps to ensure all project requirements are met and implementation can commence once funding is secured.

The Solomon Islands Government remains committed to working closely with all partners to ensure these development priorities are realized and contribute meaningfully to the country’s development aspirations.

[ENDS]

– OPMC PRESS SECRETARIAT

TopicsBilateral PartnershipDiplomacyGovernmentSolomon Islands
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