Solomon Islands shows interest in LNG project

THE Solomon Islands government has publicly announced its interest in tapping into the multi-billion-kina liquefied natural gas (LNG) project in Papua New Guinea.
The Solomon Islands Star newspaper said in Honiara yesterday that foreign affairs and trade minister Peter Shanel officially announced his government’s keen interest in the PNG gas project at the opening of the ninth bilateral consultation meeting between PNG and the Solomon Islands in Gizo last week.
Shanel said Solomon Islands could benefit from such undertaking.
“The LNG project, which will kick off in 2014, will see huge opportunities for business, trade, investment and the labour work force in PNG.
“In this regard, Solomon Islands would like to strategically positioned itself to take advantage of the spin-offs and opportunities rising out of this multi-billion-kina project in Papua New Guinea,” the newspaper quoted Shanel as saying.
The Solomon Islands delegation was briefed on the LNG project and the huge potential for flow-over of investments and trade during the meeting.
Solomon Islands High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea,  Bernard Bata’anisia had confirmed that the matter was discussed in the meeting and his country was interested in taking up the issue further with the PNG government.