Honiara, Solomon Islands, May 17, 2020 – IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, has appointed Smiley Giobauta as Country Officer for Solomon Islands.
In his new role, Giobauta is now responsible for coordinating IFC’s program of investments and advisory services in Solomon Islands. IFC, the largest global development institution focused exclusively on the private sector in developing countries, undertakes work in Solomon Islands, with the support of the Australian and New Zealand Governments.
“IFC’s investment and advisory work in Solomon Islands has helped bring the Tina River Hydropower Project to financial close, create jobs in the tuna industry, promote gender equality in businesses and had helped build up the tourism industry,” said Thomas J. Jacobs, IFC’s Country Manager for Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and the Pacific Islands. “With Solomon Islands now impacted by the global fall-out from COVID-19, Smiley Giobauta’s great professional experience and a deep knowledge of the country will be key to helping us expand our work in Solomon Islands.”
Based in Honiara, Giobauta is also responsible for managing IFC’s relationship with the Solomon Islands government, donors and private sector representatives.
“I am keen to work closely with our many important stakeholders in this country, including business, the financial sector and government,” Giobauta said. “The private sector has a huge role to play in helping to build our economy and create jobs and opportunities for Solomon Islanders.”
Giobauta brings a wealth of experience to IFC. He spent 15 years at the Solomon Islands’ government’s Inland Revenue Division, subsequently managing Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu’s Solomon Islands Taxation and Business Services portfolios. More recently he has worked as an independent consultant on infrastructure and energy projects with the Japan International Cooperation Agency, the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank Group in Solomon Islands.
A former president of the Institute of Solomon Islands Accountants, Mr. Giobauta has a degree in Business Analysis majoring in Accounting from the University of Waikato, New Zealand. He has also worked at the New Zealand government’s Inland Revenue.
About IFC
IFC—a sister organization of the World Bank and member of the World Bank Group—is the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets. We work with more than 2,000 businesses worldwide, using our capital, expertise, and influence to create markets and opportunities where they are needed most. In fiscal year 2019, we delivered more than $19 billion in long-term financing for developing countries, leveraging the power of the private sector to end extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity. For more information, visit www.ifc.org .
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Pacific Partnership
IFC’s work in Solomon Islands is guided by the Pacific Partnership. Australia, New Zealand and IFC are working together through the Partnership to stimulate private sector investment and reduce poverty in the Pacific.
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