HONIARA (SOLOMON STAR) — The Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SICCI) as the peak body representing the private sector in the country applauds the Solomon Islands Government and the Australian Government for their commitment to progress the high-speed telecommunication undersea cable from Sydney to Honiara.
Prime Minster Rick Houenipwela and his Australian counterpart Malcolm Turnbull last week witnessed the signing of a Landing Party Agreement between Australia and the Solomon Islands Submarine Cable Limited (SISCCL), a milestone towards constructing of the international and domestic cables.
The Agreement was signed between the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance and Chairman of the Board of SISCCL, Harry Kuma and the Australian High Commissioner to Solomon Islands Roderick Brazier.
SICCI Chairman, Jay Bartlett has stressed the significance of the cable investment and the positive impacts it will have on the economy, growth, investment and the private sector.
Bartlett welcomes the commitment shown by both the Australian and Solomon Islands and Governments which is evident in the signing of the Landing Party Agreement last week in Canberra.
“This project provides an important platform for broader economic progress and will unlock many opportunities for Solomon Islanders”
“Among many benefits, the cable will boost the county’s internet speed connection, cheaper internet rates, make it easier for more investment opportunities, and of course meaning potentially more jobs and opportunities for Solomon Islanders when businesses are thriving and expanding their investment frontier,” Bartlett said.
“For businesses it will also improve productivity and reduce wastage in time and costs,” he added.
SICCI’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dennis Meone says as the representative body of the private sector, SICCI fully supports the construction of the underseas cable.
“It is timely and we applaud the Australian Government and our Government in their effort to drive this important initiative forward”
“This project will provide a huge leap for internet services in the Solomon Islands. It will change the way we do business and will have a better impact on production and efficiency,” he said.
Australia and Solomon Islands Government have set an ambitious and accelerated timeframe for the project.
The construction is envisaged to start in July 2018 and expects to be completed by late 2019.
The parties to the Agreement are the Solomon Islands Submarine Cable Company Limited (SISCCL) and the Australian Government…. PACNEWS
