The Solomon Islands Government has signed the Contract Agreement and Tender Documents for the construction of the New Solomon Islands High Commission Chancery Building Complex in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.

The Agreement was signed in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, on Friday 3 October 2008 by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs & External Trade, Mr Barnabas Anga on behalf of the Solomon Islands Government and Mr Ren Erjun, Chief Economist of the China Railway Construction & Engineering Group (PNG Limited). The signing ceremony was also witnessed by the Solomon Islands High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea, H.E. Mr Bernard Bata'anisia, and Representatives of the Papua New Guinea Government, China Railway and Construction & Engineering Group (PNG Limited) as well as Project Management Team.

The signing of the Contract Agreement and Tender Documents now paves the way for construction work to start at the New Solomon Islands High Commission in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.

During the signing ceremony, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs & External Trade, Mr Barnabas Anga said the signing ceremony is a historic and important occasion as it formalizes the completion of all necessary works and marks the start of the construction work of the New Solomon Islands High Commission Chancery in Papua New Guinea. He added that the construction of the Solomon Islands Chancery Building Complex will be the first of its kind to be undertaken outside of Solomon Islands.

He further stated the current Government of Prime Minister, Hon Dr Derek Sikua is committed to this project and will see to it that the Chancery is successfully completed with the official opening of the Chancery Complex scheduled for the later half of 2009. This Chancery adds another milestone to the close and warm relations Solomon Islands has with Papua New Guinea, our closest Melanesian Neighbour and a country which we have very special and close ties, says Mr Anga.

The Permanent Secretary further stated that this project is in line with the Foreign Policy Objective of the Coalition for National Unity and Rural Advancement in that it will reduce some of our fixed costs hence providing opportunities for our Overseas Missions to be cost effective in delivery of its responsibilities. The Chancery will also serve to promote and advance Solomon Islands interest and presence in Papua New Guinea as well as to strengthen the bilateral relations between the two countries. It will also serve as centre of dissemination information on Solomon Islands in Papua New Guinea.

The Permanent Secretary of Foreign Affairs & External Trade conveyed his Government sincere thanks and gratitude to the Papua New Guinea Government for its assistance and support towards the Chancery construction.

Solomon Islands High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea, Mr Bernard Bata'anisia, said the total cost of the Chancery project is about K7.4 Million, which is equivalent to SBD$21 Million and funded by Papua New Guinea Government under its bilateral assistance programme to Solomon Islands.

The New Solomon Islands High Commission Chancery Building Complex will house the High Commission's Diplomatic Office, Executive Residences for its Diplomatic Staff as well as Recreational Hall for hosting of social events and gatherings.

Construction work on the New Solomon Islands High Commission Chancery is expected to start soon, says High Commissioner Bata'anisia.


National Express