MINISTER of Foreign Affairs and External Trade, Milner Tozaka had discussed a number of bilateral issues with his counterpart from Papua New Guinea (PNG) in Honiara yesterday.
The PNG Foreign Minister Rimbink Pato came over the weekend to pay a courtesy call on Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare and took time to meet with Minister Tozaka.
During their discussion, Tozaka acknowledged Pato for the $100 million kina and the 800 scholarships for Solomon Islanders to study in various institutions in PNG.
The assistances were made possible by the last government and will continue this year.
Tozaka said, under the arrangement, $100 million kina will run for five years with $60 million per year.
He said, the 800 scholarships will be utilised by Solomon Islands from 2014-2018.
“Two hundreds scholarships will be provided to under-graduate students on annual basis until it lapses on 2018.
“Under this arrangement, the grant will cover tuition fees, boarding fees, administration, airfares and allowances,” the former diplomat said.
Tozaka said, Ministry of Education and Human Resources is responsible to manage the funds through its education attache in Port Moresby.
By EDDIE OSIFELO