GOV’T ENGAGED SEZ EXPERTS TO WORK ON SEZ BILL

The Democratic Coalition for Change (DCC) Government has engaged three Special Economic Zones’ (SEZs) technical experts from the Philippines to assist the government taskforce in preparing the SEZs bill for its appearance at the next Parliament sitting in July.

The experts are from the ‘Josefina Ela Bueno Attorney at Law’, Manila.

The Prime Minister’s media Secretariat confirms the technical experts have signed their 10- weeks Contract of Employment with the Government yesterday afternoon.

Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Commerce, Mr. George Kosui and the Permanent Secretary of Finance and Treasury, Mr. Harry Kuma witnessed the experts’ contract signing.

The signing ceremony was presided over by Mr. John Muria from the Attorney General’s Chambers, with the assistance of the National Consultant Commerce and Tourism in the Prime Minister’s Office, Mr. Martin Housanau.

Mr. Kosui says the government taskforce on SEZs, is pleased with the engagement of the Filipino SEZs experts and looks forward to their valuable input to the important legislation.

He says the SEZs legislation is a flagship policy of the Democratic Coalition for Change Government.

Meanwhile, Mr Chan says his team brings vast experience in SEZs legislation drafting and looks forward to assisting Solomon Islands.

He claims heavy involvement in drafting certain SEZs legislation and an operator of one of the biggest free-port special economic zones in his home country.

Mr Chan says the cost of implementing any SEZs legislation depends on the availability of infrastructure hence in the case of Solomon Islands, his team may suggest that a Public Private Partnership law is also legislated along with the SEZs legislation.