The Acting Prime Minister, Honourable Bradley Tovosia, last week received a courtesy call from the non- resident Ambassador of Indonesia to Solomon Islands, His Excellency Andriana Supandy, at the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.
Ambassador Supandy conveyed the congratulations of the President of Indonesia to the Government and people of Solomon Islands for the successful hosting of the 54th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting.
He highlighted the growing friendship between the two countries, noting that more Solomon Islanders are now pursuing studies in Indonesia, particularly in agriculture and technology, which remain areas of strength in Indonesia’s leading universities.
The Ambassador encouraged more Solomon Islanders to take advantage of the educational opportunities available in Indonesia.
He further outlined several areas of cooperation, including a scoping mission to explore new opportunities, and the possibility of expanding the existing visa exemption arrangement to cover ordinary passport holders.
Ambassador Supandy also extended an invitation to Prime Minister Hon. Jeremiah Manele to deliver a keynote address at the Indonesia Sustainability Forum in October this year.
In response, Acting Prime Minister Tovosia conveyed the Solomon Islands Government’s appreciation for Indonesia’s support, including the construction of the Friendship Hall, which was a key venue during the 2023 Pacific Games, and the provision of uniforms for the recent Pacific Islands Forum.
He further expressed interest in strengthening cooperation in fisheries, particularly in tilapia farming and seaweed development, and welcomed the prospect of Indonesian telecommunications companies investing in Solomon Islands.
Ambassador Supandy informed the Acting Prime Minister that three Memorandum of Understanding (MOUs) are currently under discussion for future signing, covering education and health, policing and security, and women and youth empowerment.
Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to deepen bilateral cooperation across key sectors, strengthening the bonds of friendship between Solomon Islands and Indonesia.
– OPMC
