Prime Minister Manele scheduled to visit the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia

By Sharon Nanau 

Prime Minister Hon. Jeremiah Manele is scheduled to make his final official tours for this year to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia from the 30th of September to the 6th of October.

Hon.Manele told local media the visits mark a significant step in enhancing diplomatic relations and securing important investments for the Solomon Islands.

He said in Abu Dhabi he will open the Solomon Islands Embassy office and hold bilateral talks with the Abu Dhabi authorities.

“In Abu Dhabi I will formally open our newest overseas embassy and have high level engagements with authorities, discussions will cover among other things the strengthening of partnerships and enhance investments in Solomon Islands including in areas such as transformative infrastructure investments including in the tourism sector as well as in the proposed special economic zones in the area of renewable energy,” he said.

Prime Minister Manele said in Saudi Arabia he will sign a reciprocal visa arrangement with the Saudi government which will cover diplomatic and official passports.

The visa agreement will facilitate travel and entry between Solomon Islands and Saudi Arabi.

Hon Manele adds he will also hold bilateral meetings with the government and authorities in Riyadh.

“We will be exploring new areas of partnership in terms of transformative infrastructures in terms of airports, seaports, roads as well as in the hospitality industry and as well as investments in renewable energy which is one of the key priority areas of the government,” he said.

Following the formalization of diplomatic ties with both countries, the two Arab countries have increased their aid support for the Solomon Islands.

Prime Minster Manele emphasized the Government for National Unity and Transformation (GNUT) needs to strengthen its relations with all diplomatic partners if they are to achieve their transformative development plan for the country.

“To archive this the government needs to establish, strengthen and consolidate transnational partnerships with cooperation with strategic partners, in this respect our relationship, the visit to the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia are crucially important hence the importance of my visit to the two countries,” he said.

The upcoming tours will make this Hon Manele’s third and fourth international tour as Solomon Islands Prime Minister since taking up the position in May this year.

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