Pacific Islands Caucus Statement on Solomon Islands Threshold Agreement with the U.S. Millennium Challenge Corporation

WASHINGTON—Today, Representatives Ed Case (HI-01), Don Young (AK-At Large), Ami Bera (CA-07), Steve Chabot (OH-01), and Brad Sherman (CA-30), each co-chairs of the Congressional Pacific Islands Caucus, released the following statement about last week’s signing of a threshold agreement between Solomon Islands and the U.S. Millennium Challenge Corporation.

“The U.S. House of Representatives bipartisan Pacific Islands Caucus extends its congratulations to Solomon Islands on entering into the $20 million threshold agreement with the U.S. Millennium Challenge Corporation. Our Millennium Challenge Corporation seeks partnerships with countries committed to good governance, economic freedom, and investments in their citizens, and provides time-limited grants to promote economic growth. It has worked with our neighbors throughout the Pacific to provide critical infrastructure and bolster institutions in partner nations. This agreement is a very important step towards strengthening the historic relationship between the Solomon Islands and the United States, and we especially look forward to the results of the Accessing Land for Tourism Investment Facilitation and the Forest Value Enhancement Projects. We also commend the hard work of the diplomatic staffs of both Solomon Islands and the Millennium Challenge Corporation, who successfully negotiated this agreement virtually due to COVID-19. This is a great day for both of our nations, and we look forward to continuing to strengthen our mutual friendship, assistance and cooperation.”