REAFFIRMATION OF COMMITMENT POST RAMSI

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Australian Minister for International Development and the Pacific, Senator Concetta Fierravanti-Wells and Solomon Islands Minister for Development Planning and Aid Co-ordination Danny Philip has signed a new Solomon Islands-Australia Aid Partnership.  

The Partnership sets out the Solomon Islands and Australian Governments shared vision for cooperation over the next three years to improve people's lives.  It will focus on stimulating economic growth, improving health, education and gender equality outcomes and supporting ongoing stability.

"Australia is committed to build on the success of RAMSI", Minister Fierravanti-Wells said, "through our long-standing development program, we will continue to support sustained. inclusive economic growth, stability and poverty reduction in Solomon Islands".

Under the Partnership, Minister Fierravanti-Wells announced that Australia has committed up to AUD17 million for the Tina River Hydropower Development Program.  Once confirmed, this project will attract USD240 million in investment for a major national asset.

It will stimulate economic growth by providing cheaper and more reliable electricity for Solomon Island businesses and households and by demonstrating that Solomon Islands is a viable investment destination.

"This new Aid Partnership is founded on mutual accountability", Minister Philip said, "Based on the achievement of performance benchmarks drawn from the Solomon Islands National Development Strategy".

Minister Fierravanti-Wells was in the Solomon Islands to join farewell celebrations for the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI).  During her visit, Minister Fierravanti-Wells also met with other Leaders from the Pacific Islands Forum and local business leaders to share lessons learnt from RAMSI's success.

ENDS/////

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