BY SAMIE WAIKORI
The Malaita provincial government is looking at an industrial and manufacturing policy to encourage economic growth in Malaita.
The policy is part of Malaita provincial government’s (MPG) master plan encompassing development of every sector to boost economic activities in the province.
MPG believes that the policy intervention will encourage economic development and growth of all or part of the economy in pursuit of some of Malaita province’s socio-economic goals.
Historically, the economy of Malaita and the country focused on raw material trading to overseas countries.
The policy will also improve competitiveness and capabilities of domestic firms and promoting commercial production commodities transformation.
While, considering infrastructure development such as transportation, telecommunication and energy are the major enablers of industrial and manufacturing policy.
MPG believes the policy will create interventional measure to fulfil 21st century modern technologies, trade policy, macroeconomic policies and others requiring efficiency and opportunities.
The infrastructure investment industries:
- Food and water industry,
- Textile industry
- Shipping industry
- Tourism Industry
- Other manufactured related commodities and products industry
The policy, on the other hand, will create avenue to support proposed national identified Economic Growth Centre (EGC) in various part of the province.
While, the policy will also consider good governance and infrastructure translation, in order for the EGC to materialize and benefit Malaitans and Solomon Islands.
Sites currently proposed for EGC include Bina Harbor project, Suava Bay EGC, Lewe industrial park, Honoa EGC and others included in the proposed Malaita Master Plan.
