The Minister for Communication and Aviation, Hon Peter Shanel Agovaka is pleased with the outcome of bilateral talks on communication and aviation reforms in New Zealand.

Earlier this week, Minister Agovaka held bilateral discussions with New Zealand’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Murray McCully and the Minister for State- Owned Enterprises Hon. Todd McClay.

Present at the meeting were other senior government officials and the General Manager Operations of Wellington Airport, Mr. Ayolt Wiertsema.

The bilateral meeting between Hon. Agovaka and the New Zealand Foreign Minister focused on the significant progress being made in the Solomon Islands aviation sector.

Minister Agovaka reaffirmed the Solomon Islands Government’s commitment to modernising aviation in the Solomon Islands, while Minister McCully gave his assurances that New Zealand is committed to assisting the Solomon Islands aviation sector to move forward.

During the meeting Minister McCully confirmed New Zealand’s funding contribution of approximately NZ$7.7 Million (SB$42 Million) to upgrade Munda Airport to Emergency Alternative Runway Status.

This will reduce the fuel costs for international flights into the Solomon Islands which in turn should translate into cheaper international travel, facilitating tourism and trade in the Solomon Islands.

The funding will cover security fencing, airfield ground lighting and navigational aids, an airport rescue and fire fighting building and two fire engines. The Solomon Island Government has committed to co-financing this important national project with approximately NZ$3.7 million (SB$20m).

In his bilateral meeting with the New Zealand Minister for State- Owned Enterprises Minister Agovaka acknowledged the briefing provided on how Public Private Partnerships (PPP) operate in the aviation sector and stated that the Solomon Islands is keen to lean from New Zealand’s PPP experience in order to advance the aviation modernisation agenda that the Solomon Island Government is pursuing.

Apart from the meetings with the New Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs and the New Zealand Minister for State- Owned Enterprise, Hon. Agovaka also discussed issues relating to cyber security and was briefed on how the New Zealand government works to address cybercrime.

“Indeed, I am pleased with the outcome of my bilateral meetings in New Zealand. Our discussions have been very fruitful in that the New Zealand Government reassured me of its commitment to take Solomon Islands Aviation Sector forward and also confirmed its $42 Million funding assistance for the upgrade of the Munda Airport Emergency Alternative Runway Status.

“Also, my discussions on cyber security and related issues were very fruitful, having been briefed on how the New Zealand Government works to address cybercrime. It was a valuable insight for me,” Hon Agovaka said.

Minister Agovaka was accompanied during the bilateral meetings by the Permanent Secretary for Communication and Aviation, Mr Moses Virivolomo and the Solomon Islands High Commissioner to New Zealand, Her Excellency, Madam Joy Kere.

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