Country’s first 5-star hotel set to be built at SMI Town Ground

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Solomon Islands first five-star hotel will be built at the SMI Ground at Town Ground, PM Jeremiah Manele announced today.

Manele revealed that to the press— as one of the long-term benefits from his recent trip to Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates and to Saudi Arabia.

Responding to numerous questions on the $1.3m spent on his trip, Manele took the opportunity to detail the benefits of the trip, in the short and long terms.

Amongst the benefits was on his discussions and subsequent agreement for a consortium in the UAE to joint venture with Solomon Islands National Provident Fund (SINPF) to build the country’s first ever five-star hotel in Honiara.

Chairman of SINPF Dr Jimmie Rodgers confirmed to SBMOnline today that they had already agreed to partner with the foreign investors to build “our first five-star hotel” at the SMI area at Town Ground.

He said the board had been given him the mandate to negotiate with the group in Abu Dhabi which he did.

Dr Rodgers explained that the new hotel would be co-financed by SINPF and the Abu Dhabu based consortium. He pointed to land as one of NPF’s big contributions towards the project.

Meanwhile, he further stated that they are looking at building a hotel that is connected to an international brand of chain of hotels. Dr Rodgers confirmed that in this case, it would be Marriot.

On the timing, he said the group had wanted to start building soon.

“However, some of the delays are on our side like environmental assessment, planning, UXO,” he said.

He said once those are done and all paper works are done then work would start.

Dr Rodgers, who is also the Secretary to the Prime Minister, confirmed that they have already registered the company here.

Besides the new proposed five start hotel, SINPF also holds shares in Heritage Park Hotel.

news@SBMOnline2024

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