Government to encourage Solomon Islanders in Development

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has said that his government will look into the involvement of Solomon Islanders in the development of the country.

Speaking in the recent Parliament meeting, Mr Sogavare said the marginalisation of Solomon Islanders in participating fully in development is a product of a whole lot of issues.

"They range from inappropriate development strategies of successive governments, which failed to recognise potentials of Solomon Islanders to meaningfully participate in economic development, to the restrictions imposed on the availability of financial resources by foreign banks established in Solomon Islands, which are clearly biased to the non-indigenous."

The Prime Minister said there have been many cases where request for additional financial assistance by Solomon Islanders were refused for no good reasons other than the fact that they are indigenous.

Mr Sogavare said this had been the attitude by banks so far, adding the excuses by the banks was the absence of bankable projects.

But he said in those instances Solomon Islanders who had applied for additional funds have proven themselves in business.

News source: SIBC Online (http://www.sibconline.com.sb/main.asp)