Solomon government encourages economic activities in rural areas

The Solomon Islands national government has embarked on various reforms to encourage economic activities in rural areas.

Minister for Finance and Treasury Gordon Darcy Lilo says the reforms aim to encourage Solomon Islanders to become involved in commercial activities. He says the reforms include work on improving processes within government, to make it easier for local people to start up businesses.

Mr Lilo says the government is embarking on a tax reform and devise ways in which people in rural areas can have access to private sector financing.

The Finance Minister says government is now working on a new infrastructure plan which is featured in the 2007 budget to enable rural people move freely whenever they want to secure materials and markets for their products.

He says the government is optimistic that when these reforms are fully implemented, people in rural areas will participate fully in economic activities, broadening the country's economic base.

Source: SIBC