17 Apr 2012

Hopes for trade ties between Solomons and Vanuatu provinces

12:49 pm on 17 April 2012

The Premier of Temotu Province in Solomon Islands is hoping a trade link with Vanuatu will soon be initiated.

Under the Melanesian Spearhead Group, a memorandum of understanding was signed last year, paving the way for goods such as food to be traded between Temotu and Santo.

A second MOU is expected to be signed this year to include the trading of services not yet covered.

The Premier of Temotu Father Charles Brown Beu says immigration and customs facilities have been built and the remote province is needing personnel to conduct trading.

"Even before the first MOU is signed, we can now start trading, provided the national government sends us the officers that we require of the customs officers and then the quarantine officers to facilitate the trade link."

Father Charles Brown Beu says immigration officers from Honiara recently inspected the new office space in Lata and assured him the trade link will begin as soon as possible.