With $130 million in additional money for projects and support due to be granted to the Solomon Islands this month, the World Bank expects to increase its aid to the country.
The money will be used to restore airport facilities, especially in Honiara, and to rebuild four bridges, according to a statement made by the bank on Thursday.
Three other projects totaling around $41 million are still being finalized and will be unveiled later this month.
In a statement, Annette Leith, World Bank Resident Representative for Solomon Islands and Vanuatu, stated, “Providing dependable, climate resilient transport connectivity is a critical problem in Solomon Islands.”
She explained, “This new project will solve significant concerns in air transportation infrastructure.”
After the two nations inked a security deal, the United States and its allies expressed alarm about China’s rising influence in the Solomon Islands.
The accord represents a huge step forward for China in the resource-rich Pacific, after the funding of a series of large infrastructure projects.
