HIGHLIGHTS
- Better performing public financial management systems and processes.
- Increased revenues from customs duties with improved compliance.
- More efficient ICT systems that are more resilient to cyber-attacks.
PROJECT
Solomon Islands-Australia Partnership for Governance
The Challenge
Solomon Islands’ economy is undergoing significant structural change. Logging, the country's major export industry, is in decline, so economic diversification is a government priority. Fiscal deficits and rapid population growth make it harder for the government to deliver essential services and service its debt. These challenges heighten the need for economic reform and improved public financial management.
The Approach
The Solomon Islands-Australia Partnership for Governance program supports macroeconomic and fiscal stability through specialised technical assistance. This assistance is delivered through a mix of long- and short-term technical advisers, as well as twinning arrangements with Australian government entities and private sector partners.
Targeted capacity building includes procurement and contracting, debt management, revenue generation, budgeting and financial management and information and communications technology.
The Results
The Solomon Islands-Australia Partnership for Governance program has improved performance of public financial payment systems and processes including financial reporting, payroll, risk-based audits and sustainable debt and procurement management.
The partnership’s work in customs reform with the Solomon Islands Customs and Excise Division has significantly improved revenue collection and compliance. The partnership has also advanced VAT legislation and budget regulations for better debt management.
The partnership helped strengthen inclusive democratic processes, including the successful implementation of joint national and provincial elections in 2024. It has also improved the country’s resilience to cyber risks, including minimising impacts of the 2024 CrowdStrike Blue Screen issues that caused chaos worldwide.