The Solomon Islands recently received $130 million in new funding from the world bank to assist with infrastructure in the island nation following concerns of heightened tensions in the region following a pact with China.
In a press release on Wednesday, The World Bank announced a second Aviation and Roads Project that will be used to boost economic development in the Solomon Islands, which is the biggest boost in the World Bank’s 43-year history in the country.
“Providing reliable, climate-resilient transport connections is a major challenge in the Solomon Islands and a key obstacle in addressing uneven development and opportunities for communities across the country,” said Annette Leith, World Bank Resident Representative for Solomon Islands & Vanuatu, according to the press release. “This new project will address critical issues in air transport infrastructure to improve service delivery for communities in need, as well as improving important international links to support Solomon Islands’ tourism sector.”
The first round of funding called the Second Solomon Islands Roads and Aviation Project (SIRAP2), will consist of US$89 million to make improvements to the country’s aviation sector safer, alongside additional climate-resilient infrastructure, specifically substantial improvements to airports, selected roads, and bridges across the country. Projects will be announced throughout the month of June and are expected to be more focused on aquatic and rural developments, according to the press release.
“We are pleased that SIRAP2 will continue the strong progress delivered under the ongoing Solomon Islands Roads and Aviation Project”, said Hon Minister Rex Ramofafia, Supervising Minister of Finance and Treasury. “Strengthening climate resilience alongside the upgrades of the major road and aviation infrastructures will improve disaster risk management across the transport network, which is a priority of the government under the National Development Strategy and National Transport Plan.”
The new funding follows a bout of alarm from the United States and other western nations over a security pact that the Solomon Islands made with China earlier this year. The pact holds the potential to be a major step for China to expand its influence in the pacific region, according to State Newswire.