Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape has called for a new era of economic partnership between PNG and Solomon Islands.
Marape said the two neighbouring Melanesian countries must turn their strong political, historical and cultural ties into greater investment, trade, jobs, downstream processing and economic independence.
He made the call today at the official opening of the inaugural PNG–Solomon Islands Business Investment Forum in Honiara alongside Prime Minister Matthew Wale.
The forum, held under the theme “From Opportunity to Investment: Building the PNG–Solomon Islands Growth Corridor,” brings together government leaders, investors, business executives, financial institutions and private-sector representatives from both countries.
Marape said the forum should mark the beginning of sustained economic engagement between PNG and Solomon Islands.
“What good is political independence without economic independence?” he said.
He said PNG had been working since 2019 to reduce its reliance on aid and grants by making greater use of its natural resources.
“We do not want to be aid and grant recipients forever,” Marape stated.
“We want to build economies strong enough to stand on our own feet and, in time, assist others who need our help.”
Marape said PNG and Solomon Islands were permanent neighbours whose futures were closely linked by geography, culture and history.
“Location matters. Place matters. It is who we are. We cannot change geography,” he said.
He said the two countries must build a future that is fair, balanced and respectful of their people and businesses.
Marape said his Government supported the forum’s focus on turning economic opportunities into actual investments.
He encouraged businesses from both countries to form partnerships and joint ventures.
“If we can source capacity from each other, let us source it. If we can have joint ventures amongst each other, let us have those joint ventures,” he said.
PNG businesses already have a significant presence in Solomon Islands in sectors including property, finance, retail, fisheries, professional services and construction.
Marape thanked the Solomon Islands Government and people for welcoming PNG businesses.
He encouraged PNG investors to partner with Solomon Islands businesses and help develop local small and medium-sized enterprises.
“PNG businesses, as you work here, incubate a local business to be your value partner,” he said.
“A good relationship, a good business venture and a good reputation is premium capital.”
He also invited Solomon Islands businesses to invest and expand in PNG.
Marape identified the two countries’ large maritime resources as one of their biggest economic opportunities.
He said their combined exclusive economic zones provide access to some of the world’s richest tuna resources.
However, he called for a shift from simply harvesting and exporting fish towards greater domestic processing and manufacturing.
“We have been open for business for so long. We now want to go into partnership,” he said.
“We want to step up processing of our catches in our respective countries.”
Marape said PNG and Solomon Islands could become a strong regional bloc supplying sustainably produced tuna and other marine products to international markets.
He said this could create jobs and retain more economic value within both countries.
He also encouraged responsible investment in mining and energy.
Investors, he said, should receive reasonable returns while host countries, landowners and local businesses receive a fair share through taxes, royalties, equity and local participation.
]Marape said the greatest asset of both countries was their people, particularly their young populations.
“Our youthful workforce must be seen as our number one resource,” he said.
He called for greater investment in education, technical skills, small businesses and labour mobility.
Marape also acknowledged Solomon Islanders working in PNG, including teachers, pastors and other professionals.
He said stronger skills development could allow people from both countries to access domestic, regional and international employment opportunities.
Marape said the partnership should be based on shared prosperity rather than competition.
“A healthy Solomon Islands is a healthy PNG. A healthy PNG is a healthy Solomon Islands.”
He encouraged businesses from both countries to explore opportunities across the border.
“Solomon Islands businesses, come to PNG. Likewise, PNG businesses, come to Solomon Islands,” he said.
“Our strength is in economic prosperity.”
Marape said PNG and Solomon Islands already work closely through the Pacific Islands Forum, Melanesian Spearhead Group, Commonwealth and United Nations.
He said strong government-to-government relations must now be matched by stronger business-to-business partnerships.
“As our countries move into the next 50 years, we must build economies that give our people control over their own destiny,” he said.
“Let us use what God has placed in our land, our seas and our people, work together as Melanesian brothers and sisters, and create prosperity that strengthens both our nations.”
