Malaita & Jiangsu Province signs Three-year action plan
By Ian Kaukui
Malaita Province and its sister province, Jiangsu Province of China signed a three-year action plan for friendly exchanges and cooperation at the Chinese Embassy in Honiara yesterday.
The signing was done by the visiting Vice Governor of Jiangsu Province, Fang Wei and Malaita Premier, Elijah Asilauwa.
Speaking after the signing, Asilaua said the action plan covers areas such as agriculture, economic trade and cultural exchange.
Mr. Asilaua said such agreement is the way forward for Malaita, given the current situation that the government is facing in assisting the nine provinces.
“The national Government has its own challenges to support the nine province and so by engaging in such sister relationship, can also lightened that government burden,” he said.
Members of the two sister provinces after the signing.
He also encouraged other provinces to start thinking of engaging in such sister relationships.
Mr. Asilaua also emphasized that one of the key areas they want to get support from is the productive sector, especially in Agriculture and Education.
Meanwhile, as part of the signed agreement, Jiangsu Provincial Government also awarded two scholarships for local students to undergo three-years of study in China.
One of the recipient, Adrian Taniveke says it’s an honor for him to receive the award.
“Actually, it’s an honour to be given such opportunity as this would also be my first time to travel abroad. I will be undertaking business administration studies so I thank Jiangsu province and I am looking forward for my studies,” he said.
SIBC News understands, Chinese Ambassador H.E Cai Weiming visited Malaita in April this year and signed the first Memorandum of Understanding on behalf of the Jiangsu Province, to establish friendly relations between Jiangsu and Malaita.
On this visit, Vice Governor Fang Wei and a delegation including officials from Jiangsu Provincial Government, Huainan City Government, experts from Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences and private sectors are expected to sign more agreements and provide more supplies for Malaita Province.
ENDS//