A Solomon Islands delegation led by the Minister for Communication and Aviation Hon. Peter Shanel Agovaka to Taiwan concluded with the signing of an Air Services Agreement (ASA) with the Government of the Republic of China (Taiwan).
Minister Agovaka was accompanied on the visit by his Permanent Secretary, Mr. Moses Virivolomo, Attorney General Mr. James Apaniai and the Financial Controller of Solomon Post Mr Nixon Ngirah.
The delegation’s first visit was to Taiwan’s Chunghwa Post on 6th June followed by a second visit to Taiwan’s Ministry of Justice before the group concluded their visit with the signing of an Air Services Agreement (ASA).
This took place on the 9th June when the Solomon Islands Delegation met with their Taiwan counterparts led by the Minister of the Ministry of Transportation and Communication Hon. Ho Chen Tan who, along with his officials, witnessed the signing of the first ASA between Solomon Islands and Republic of China (Taiwan).
“The signed agreement is the second ASA to be signed with an Asian country and within the Asia-Pacific region that boasts strong growth in aircraft purchases and growing passenger numbers in the aviation sector. The agreement will foster more opportunities amongst signatories with tremendous advantages and far reaching benefits to the two countries’ economies”. Hon Peter Agovaka indicated.
“Under the DCCG policy implementation, Solomon Islands will review ASAs with Fiji and Papua New Guinea and will sign new ASAs with Emirates, Turkey, Indonesia and currently placing request through Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade to explore possible ASAs with USA and Canada later in the year with emphases on reciprocity and fairness in all our Air Services Agreements”. The Minister added.
These ASAs and agreements will allow our national carrier to expand its network with more code-share agreements and direct flights when opportunity allows, thereby offering more options and connectivity and overall, benefiting our people and economy.
The Asian region is one of the fastest growing economies in the world and such bilateral agreements will no doubt have spin-offs with tourism, trade and business activities enhanced by better global connections and at the same time boost our economy.