Opposition MPs visit Eagon Plantation
LEADER of Opposition Hon Matthew Wale has led a group of Opposition MPs to visit the Eagon Pacific Plantation Limited in New Georgia, Western province.
The Opposition MPs visited Eagon on Saturday 5th April 2025.
Hon Wale has extended his appreciation to the company management and the team for their warm welcome.
The Opposition Leader said despite challenges faced by the company, Eagon continues to provide employment for many Solomon Islanders.
“Plantation forestry is a very challenging industry in competition with larger operations in South East Asia. Plantation forestry has a revenue cycle of 15 years before harvest. And the margins are small, given the competition,” he said.
Team taking a tour at the nursery site.
Therefore, Hon Wale said the industry needs government support through exemptions to encourage reinvestment and increased production.
“I call on the government to begin dialogue with both plantation forestry companies Eagon and KFPL to discuss their respective reinvestment plans & agree how best government can support them,” he said.
The Leader of Opposition said the objective must be increased employment and business opportunities for Solomon Islanders created by these large plantation companies.
Eagon’s CEO Benjamin Cho said it was a great honor to introduce the company’s operation to Hon Wale and his delegation.
“I hope the visit is productive and fruitful for the Opposition MPs to have better understanding of the plantation business and helpful when making new legislation or revising current relevant laws,” he said.
MP for South New Georgia Rendova & Tetepare Hon David Gina at the Nursery site.
Mr Cho said Eagon Pacific Plantation Limited is a Korean company and has been doing plantation business in New Georgia Island, Western Province since 1996.
“We have a plan to plant Eucalyptus trees in 400 hectares and to produce 100,000cubic meters this year,” he said.
Mr Cho said as a Korean company, they strongly believe that education is the most important and valuable investment for the next generation.
“We give scholarships to 15 university students and 15 secondary and primary students each year,” he said.
ENDS//
– Office of the Leader of Opposition