A top official from the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) had visited Solomon Islands from 28th July – 31, 2025.
The Ministry of Finance and Treasury announced that Mr. Toshiaki Keicho Manager, Public Sector Clients Department, Region 1 visited Honiara followed the formal acceptance of Solomon Islands as a regional member of AIIB, and the attendance of the banks 10th Board of Governors Annual meeting by the Minister of Finance and Treasury, Honourable Harry D. Kuma in June 2025.
Furthermore, the Ministry of Finance and Treasury confirmed that it has already received the Aide-Memoire on the AIIB Mission and recommendations for Governments consideration.
What is the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB)?
The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank is a multilateral development bank dedicated to financing “infrastructure for tomorrow,” with sustainability at its core.
AIIB began operations in 2016, now has 110 approved members worldwide, is capitalized at USD100 billion, and is AAA-rated by major international credit rating agencies.
AIIB collaborates with partners to mobilize capital and invest in infrastructure and other productive sectors that foster sustainable economic development and enhance regional connectivity.
Purpose of AIIB (Mr. Keicho) visit to Solomon Islands
The main objectives of the Mission were to discuss Solomon Islands’ development needs and challenges with responsible authorities and to identify business opportunities that are necessary to upstream work and/or potential lending operations.
The mission met with the Deputy Prime Minister, Honorable Finance Minister, and other officials of the Government of Solomon Islands (GSI), including: the Ministry of Finance and Treasury (MOT); Ministry of Development Planning & AID Coordination (MDPAC);
Mission Recommendations and Benefits to SI
As the Ministry of Finance & Treasury has reported earlier, Solomon Islands has great potential to benefit from its membership of AIIB in terms of development and infrastructure project funding by the bank.
Based on the discussions with various government ministries, AIIB has assured Solomon Islands Government that the bank could potentially be involved in funding three projects, from the identified infrastructure development needs that were discussed with government authorities during the visit.
The bank believes that these three projects are aligned with AIIB’s strategies and priorities and likely match the size of funding that AIIB is considering for Solomon Islands.
There is no doubt that Solomon Islands has huge infrastructure investment needs.
The Ministry of Finance and Treasury acknowledged AIIB’s mission in late July 2025 and its keenness to play a key role in developing Solomon Islands critical infrastructure needs.
Furthermore, the Ministry hopes to maintain a close dialogue with AIIB as the Government of Solomon Islands identifies AIIB’s engagement opportunities in the country.
AIIB has agreed to field a technical mission consisting of sector specialists to Solomon Islands later, depending on the Governments agreed priority projects for the banks potential engagement in the country.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Finance and Treasury has already received the AIIB Aide- Memoire from its mission from 28th – 31 July 2025.
The Ministry hopes to seek Cabinets decision on the identified infrastructure development needs for potential AIIB engagement soon.
– Govt Com Unit
