The premier of Guadalcanal in Solomon Islands says the benefits of hosting the 11th Festival of Pacific Arts make up for the financial strain the event has placed on the Solomon Islands economy.
Festival organisers say the government has made up the shortfall on their budget overrun but reports of angry contractors complaining of not being paid for their work have marred the two-week event, which finished on Friday.
Anthony Veke says although the costs have been considerable, he believes the festival will still break even.
"Because we have countries over from the Pacific so I think it's fair, even though we spend a lot of money on it, I think it's fair due to the fact that you have about two to three thousand contingents from the Pacific coming, so I think it's a break-even in the economy."
Anthony Veke says the festival has widened the horizons of Solomon Islands people and given them an incentive for the future.
