Honiara, 10 September 2026 – The Government for Reform, Empowerment, Accountability, and Transformation (GREAT) Coalition has reaffirmed its commitment to grow local businesses, reduce import dependency, and prepare Solomon Islands for the post-LDC graduation through innovation and inclusive economic policies.
Speaking at the opening of the 2026 Annual National Trade Fair at SINU FOPA Village yesterday, Minister for Commerce, Industry, Labour and Immigration, Hon. Harry Kuma, outlined key policy directions under the GREAT Coalition.
Minister Kuma said the GREAT Coalition’s priority is to increase domestic production in food, fisheries, tourism and manufacturing while moving away from exporting raw resources.
“We have been exporting logs, minerals, fish and crops in raw form, leaving the value-adding and profits to foreign nations. This must change,” he said.
The Government aims to reduce import dependency, improve food security, and create jobs for Solomon Islanders through downstream processing and value addition.
The Trade Fair demonstrates the GREAT Coalition’s commitment to Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) as major employers of the future.
Policy actions announced include simplifying business registration processes, improving access to finance, expanding market access and supporting value addition, reforming government procurement to ensure SMEs can access payments and strengthening the MSME Act and Foreign Investment Amendment.
“Small businesses today can become major employers tomorrow. When we support one Solomon Islands business to grow, we are supporting families, employees, suppliers, farmers, transport operators and communities,” Minister Kuma said.
The GREAT Coalition will prioritise road, maritime, aviation and digital connectivity to link producers and tourism operators to domestic and international markets.
Key focus areas under this priority policy include improving telecommunications coverage in productive and tourism areas, implementing the National E-Commerce Strategy, promoting online marketing, digital payments and e-commerce platforms so businesses in provinces can sell globally.
“Distance must no longer be a barrier. A young entrepreneur in Choiseul or a women’s cooperative in Temotu should be able to sell to a buyer in Brisbane, Tokyo, or London with the tap of a smartphone,” the Minister said.
Minister Kuma stressed that economic growth must be inclusive and green.
The GREAT Coalition will put youth at the centre – supporting them as entrepreneurs, inventors, digital creators, engineers and exporters, strengthening partnerships with SINU, USP, church institutions and schools, promoting women entrepreneurs, rural women producers, people with disabilities, and provincial businesses, and ensuring innovation respects the environment and traditional knowledge.
“A Greater Solomon Islands Tomorrow cannot be built while half of our population remains on the margins of economic opportunity,” he said.
With Solomon Islands set to graduate from Least Developed Country status in 2027, Minister Kuma said innovation is the answer to maintaining progress without special international concessions.
The National Development Strategy’s 8 Pillars will guide Government action to create a better life for all Solomon Islanders and accelerate economic development.
Minister Kuma urged all stakeholders to support the vision by calling on farmers to produce more and connect to markets, entrepreneurs to innovate and take smart risks, youth to learn, create and lead, investors to invest wisely and think long-term, and all Solomon Islanders to buy local, support local.
“Let us add value to our resources, create opportunities for our people, strengthen our businesses, and open the Solomon Islands to the world. Together, let’s make the vision of a Greater Solomon Islands Tomorrow a reality today,” he concluded.
The Government acknowledged development partners including Australia, New Zealand and China, the private sector, and all Trade Fair exhibitors for their partnership.
