BY SAMIE WAIKORI
The Asilaua led Malaita Economic Cooperation and Transformation Government highlights its commitment to prioritizes economic growth through productive sectors in Malaita province.
Premier of Malaita province, Elijah Asilaua announced this in his welcome address at the introduction of the 2024/2025 provincial revised budget on Monday this week in Auki.
“We determine to empower our local communities and entrepreneurs with strong focus on our human capital to drive and grow the economy with investment opportunities in agriculture, fisheries, and tourism industries.
“In this instance, the signing of the MOU with SINU for the establishment of its 4th Campus in Malaita is essential with primary objectives to offer accredited agricultural education and training programs.
“It will create agricultural research, innovation, and sustainable practices through collaborative efforts between SINU and relevant stakeholders to bolster rural farming.
“Furthermore, providing educational opportunities that cater to the needs of Malaita communities, thereby fostering local development and capacity building that will bolster the agricultural industry in the downstream processing value chain for better cash flow and employment opportunities,” he said.
He added that whilst attention is on the agriculture industry, Malaita Provincial Government has commended CEMA to continue provide market to rural farmers in the province.
Further to their commitment to prioritize economic growth in the province, Asilaua thanked one of the indigenous business enterprises, the Liberty Holdings Limited for venturing into the kava niche market in the province.
He mentioned that the provincial executive has allocated a storage premise at Kwaibala, on a lease contract basis to Liberty Holdings Limited in the value chain that will link rural farmers to access cash flow and employment to become self-reliance.
Moreover, he said to further empower indigenous Malaitans on business opportunities, the executive has endorsed the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME)Technical Working Committee.
Asilaua explained that the MSME is a financial initiative establish by MPG to financially support people in the province.
He noted the MSME program will launch soon to create partnerships and collaboration with the national government, development partners, and financial institutions.
Asilaua assured that his government is working on initiatives to encourage the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises to utilize local natural resources with education development.
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