Honiara, Solomon Islands, Friday 17 October, 2025 – Prime Minister Hon. Jeremiah Manele has commended the growing partnership between the Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea private sectors following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Papua New Guinea–Solomon Islands Business Council (PNGSIBC) and the Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SICCI).
Speaking at the Papua New Guinea–Solomon Islands Business Council Cocktail event at the Honiara Golf Club this Friday evening, Prime Minister Manele said the MOU marks an important milestone in strengthening business and economic cooperation between the two Melanesian neighbours.
“While governments can provide the framework, it is ultimately the private sector that drives trade, investment, and innovation,” Prime Minister Manele said. He said this MOU provides a platform for dialogue, networking, and collaboration on new avenues for trade and investment between the two countries.
The Prime Minister highlighted that the establishment of the PNG–Solomon Islands Business Council had been an idea first discussed several years ago during a PNG–Solomon Islands Senior Officials Meeting held in Honiara. That idea has now come to fruition, culminating in the signing of the MOU between PNGSIBC and SICCI in Honiara on Thursday, 16 October 2025.
Under the agreement, the two business organizations will cooperate to enhance private sector growth, strengthen public–private partnerships, and explore opportunities in priority sectors such as agriculture, tourism, infrastructure, technology, finance, and innovation.
Prime Minister Manele said the Government for National Unity and Transformation (GNUT) welcomes this partnership as a vital step in deepening economic ties and people-to-people connections between the two countries.
“As close neighbours and Melanesian brothers and sisters, our futures are intertwined,” he said. “Greater private sector engagement between Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands will not only expand trade and investment but will also strengthen our bonds of cooperation and understanding”, PM Manele continued.
The Prime Minister also took the opportunity to acknowledge the WANSOL Prime Ministers Charity Golf Challenge, held in Port Moresby in August, where funds were raised for charitable causes. He commended his Papua New Guinea counterpart, Hon. James Marape, for initiating the event and confirmed that his pledged contribution of K20,000 towards the cause would soon be delivered.
Prime Minister Manele congratulated both PNGSIBC and SICCI for their leadership in formalizing the partnership and expressed optimism for the future of business collaboration between the two Melanesian nations.
“I commend both the Papua New Guinea–Solomon Islands Business Council and the Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce and Industry for their vision and commitment,” he said.
The Prime Minister said this MOU opens a new chapter of opportunity for the two countries’ private sectors to grow together in advancing mutual prosperity.
