by Georgina Maka’a
A Border Management System (BMS) designed to boost Solomon Islands’ security and improve its economy will be in place soon, thanks to a SBD$18 million contribution from the Australian Government.
The new system will be delivered through a Pacific trilateral partnership between Australia, Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands
Visiting Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles announced this in Honiara today.
“It is fantastic to see three Pacific partners come together to ensure that our mutual security and prosperity can be advanced with this project, demonstrating that our region is stronger when we work together to solve our collective challenges,” Marles said, as he was flanked by Minister for Police and National Services and Correctional Services Jimson Tanagada and Papua New Guinea High Commissioner to Solomon Islands Moses Kaul.
Tanagada said the BMS system will help bring a new visa regime scheduled to go live with Solomon Islands visa system towards the end of 2024 or early 2025.
He emphasized the BMS is highly valued as it will become a tool providing solutions to many of our security challenges, stating it will address the many unanswered security domain challenges in the region.
“The system will help to better monitor and manage our borders against irregular migration, drug smuggling, human trafficking, people smuggling, transnational organized crime and the changing security landscape.” Tanagada stressed.
He also highlighted that the reform will further help Immigration and Enforcement Officers make informed decisions electronically, creating opportunities to boost Solomon Islands tourism and hospitality services whilst keeping the country’s borders safe.
High Commissioner Kaul said PNG is committed to supporting Solomon Islands Immigration Division in terms of training and technical assistance towards the implementation of the BMS.
He said implementing BMS as an online regime is an enabling environment for investments and businesses to thrive.
“BMS allows for streamlining, visa processes and enhanced movements of people across borders in real time,” Kaul stated.
Acting Director of Immigration Chris Akosawa told In-depth Solomons the system in place will enable people to apply for visas in a more efficient and effective manner.
“With this system in place it will also bring in revenue into the country because people will just pay online for their visas,” Akosawa said.
“It would change our current system where we issue visas on arrival, now people will have to apply before entering the country,” he added.
In the longer run, Akosawa said the BMS would help keep our borders safe.