Temotu Province will continue to pursue the proposed trade link with Vanuatu.
That’s according to premier Buddley Soakifono.
He said his executive will consult with relevant national government ministry to further pursue the matter.
Soakifono said previous executives have by-passed the relevant government ministry as well as the Melanesian Spearhead Group in their pursuit of establishing the trade link.
He said the inclusion of MSG is important because it’s the organisation that links the Melanesian countries of Solomon Islands, PNG, Fiji, Vanuatu, and New Caledonia.
Soakifono said it’s also important that infrastructures such as wharf, fisheries centre, and bank are put in place.
“We also need to prepare local agriculture and marine products for trade in the event this link is established,” the premier said.
Soakifono said he was pleased to note the national government has included the construction of an international seaport in Temotu as part of its project priorities.
“This is a step in the right direction and I thanked the government for this.”
Premier Soakifono said it is important for the province to work closely with the national government if it wants to achieve progress and developments.
By ELLIOT DAWEA
