"These are investments that need to happen in the country as they are important fundamentals of any economy," said Mr Lilo in a recent press conference.

Mr Lilo says the challenge is to get such economic fundamentals right, as there is a need "to recreate the economic and social systems of the country in order to spread our economic base."

He acknowledges that global economic developments will affect Solomon Islands' should it choose to go down that path.

"But the development of the country should not only be driven by foreign investment, our people must be encouraged to engage in development," said Mr Lilo.

"That to me is what inclusive development is all about, so increased support for small to medium enterprises must be seriously explored."