The Solomon Islands Government today welcomed international interests shown by a world renowned Hotelier, Radisson Hotels and Resorts to develop the Anuha Island Resort in the Central Province.

Director of the Foreign Investment Division, Derick Aihari said the Government is pleased with the development intention and is prepared to facilitate the changes between previous investor Sky Airworld and the interest shown by the new investor.

"This kind of investment should be encouraged, especially when the country's largest revenue earner, logging is gradually scaling down," Mr Aihari said.

Radisson Hotels & Resorts is a well known Hotelier worldwide and has invested in some of the countries in the region including Australia, Fiji, Vanuatu, Samoa and Tahiti.

Mr Aihari explained that the Solomon Islands Tourism Company Limited which was registered with the Foreign Investment Division by Sky Airworld Holding Pty Limited of Australia in late November 2008 previously intended to redevelop Anuha Island.

However, Sky Airworld, which briefly operates air services to Solomon Islands, was declared bankrupt recently, thus, triggering Radisson Hotels and Resorts to expressinterest in Anuha.

Aihari said any arrangement for the takeover is a matter for the two parties to sort out.

"Any monetary value in the transfer would be minimal as the Solomon Islands Tourism Company Limited has not really established," Mr Aihari clarified.

He further stressed that our country and its people should welcome and encourage investments such as this to sustain the country's economy by providing the necessary employment for our people, which can stimulate business spin offs and revenue for the government to develop social services needed by Solomon Islanders.

"If this investment eventuates, the direct beneficiaries would be the original landowners and the people of Central Islands Province through employment and business spin offs".

At this stage the formal application for registration of Radisson Hotels & Resorts to take on the investment on Anuha is yet to be received by the office of the Foreign Investment Division.


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