Speech by Australian High Commissioner at PHAMA launch

Speech by Australian High Commissioner at PHAMA launch

PHAMA Launch
Heritage Park Hotel
Wednesday 18 May 2011
10.00am for 10.30am start

Acting Australian High Commissioner
Ms Alison Duncan

Acknowledgements:
Minister of Agriculture and Livestock
Minister Commerce, Labour and Immigration (in attendance)
Permanent Secretaries
PHAMA Staff and Market Access Working Group representatives
Industry and exporter representatives
Media
Ladies and Gentleman

Together with the Minister of Agriculture and Livestock, the Australian Government is pleased that the AusAID-funded Pacific Horticultural and Market Access Program, or PHAMA for short, will now be operating in Solomon Islands, in partnership with the Solomon Islands Government.

Supporting the Solomon Islands agricultural export industries makes good sense - A sector with a long history of local farmers growing products for export, such as cocoa, contributing to the nation’s economic growth.

The PHAMA program draws on this proud history, and also the regional strength, experience and partnership of Fiji, Samoa, Tonga and Vanuatu – in order to better access competitive overseas markets.

The PHAMA program complements well the Economic Livelihoods work that Australia is already supporting in Solomon Islands under our joint Partnership for Development - the agreement with the Solomon Islands Government through which Australia’s bilateral development program of assistance is delivered.

Under this agreement, two Australian-funded programs - the Rural Development Program and the Cocoa Livelihoods Improvement Project - provide a solid foundation for the PHAMA project to build on.

The Rural Development Program is supported by several donors and managed by the Ministry for Development Planning and Aid Cooperation.

The program is delivering essential water supply systems, clinics and electricity to villages in rural areas, as well as helping rural businesses with training and access to finance.

The Rural Development Program also supports the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock extension service and the Quarantine Division.

PHAMA will build on this by providing additional assistance for quarantine and biosecurity issues.

Early examples where PHAMA is likely to provide help include establishing quality standards for cocoa, and managing the impact of Giant African Snail on exporters - a pest that poses both a threat and cost to the Solomon Islands export industry.

PHAMA will complement this work to improve Solomon Islands quarantine services.

The second program supported by Australia in this sector is the Cocoa Livelihoods Improvement Project, also known as CLIP.

CLIP, with the support of the Ministry for Agriculture and Livestock and the Commodities Export Marketing Authority, is increasing rural incomes by rehabilitating old cocoa plantations, improving the quality of cocoa and accessing new market opportunities.

The work that PHAMA will be undertaking on cocoa quality standards will also be a welcome complement to this project.

Last week, the Australian Government released its budget for the new financial year beginning 1st July.

I am pleased to say that Australia’s support for the Solomon Islands bilateral aid program will increase significantly next year to A$68.3 million (or well over SBD500 million).

That is an increase of around A$17 million (or more than SBD130 million) from the $51 million (about SBD400 million) in last year’s budget.

This substantial increase reflects the close friendship between the people’s of Australia and Solomon Islands, and our long-term commitment to the government of Solomon Islands to help it deliver improved services to its people and enable them to lead better and more productive lives.

I believe that PHAMA is another example of how our two countries work together to make meaningful improvements in the lives of ordinary Solomon Islanders, and I wish you every success in the important work that lies ahead.

ENDS