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Indonesia offers help to build infrastructure in Solomon Islands
Foreign Minister Retno LP Marsudi during a visit to the Solomon Islands capital city Honiara said she had made an offer to the country's Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare, saying that Indonesian state-owned enterprises and private companies were ready to bring in their expertise in infrastructure development to the country.
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Foreign Minister Retno LP Marsudi delivers a gift to Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare during a meeting at the country's capital Honiara on Sept. 7. (The Jakarta Post/Foreign Ministry)
Indonesia has offered the Solomon Islands government assistance in building infrastructure in the Pacific island nation.
Foreign Minister Retno LP Marsudi during a visit to the Solomon Islands capital city Honiara on Wednesday said she had made an offer to the country's Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare, saying that Indonesian state-owned enterprises (SOEs) and private companies were ready to bring in their expertise in infrastructure development to the country.
"These state-owned enterprises and private companies can participate in economic developments here, especially in building infrastructure," she said. Retno said that during her meeting with Sogavare, the two countries had agreed to further improve ties as well as to protect each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The two countries have also agreed to step up cooperation in climate change mitigation efforts and fisheries.
During the visit, Retno also inaugurated the opening of a futsal stadium, donated by the Indonesian government to the people of the Solomon Islands.
"This stadium is a symbol of hope and optimism because this was constructed during the pandemic," Retno said.
Retno's visit came as the Solomon Islands engaged in a diplomatic spat with Australia over what Prime Minister Sogavare considered as "interference."
Australia's Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong said on Tuesday Australia had offered to finance the next election in the Solomon Islands, after Sogavare said the Pacific island nation could not afford to fund the Pacific Games and an election in the same year.
Sogavare wants to put off the vote until March 2024, and the proposed legislation would allow a delay in the four-year election cycle, Reuters has reported.
In late August, the Solomon Islands refused to allow a United States Coast Guard cutter to make a routine port call, a move which many saw as a further sign of the deteriorating relations between Washington and the Pacific nation, which is pursuing deeper ties with China.
