THE Prime Minister, the Honourable Jeremiah Manele, MP, acknowledged the Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SICCI) for being proactive in seeking trading opportunities within the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG).
Prime Minister Manele made the acknowledgment after being informed about the recent meeting held between the Chief Executive Officer of SICCI, James Dolarii, and the MSG in Vanuatu.
CEO Dolarii raised SICCI’s idea of a Business Investment Forum for the MSG’s consideration- an initiative that has the full support of the Prime Minister.
Prime Minister encouraged SICCI to work closely with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade to ensure that the idea is brought to the attention of the MSG leaders.
Prime Minister Manele also urged SICCI to explore trading opportunities with Indonesia, an associate member of the MSG.
The Prime Minister assured the SICCI Board and Management that the government will pursue and present to Parliament the bills vital for creating a conducive environment for investors. The bills include the Special Economic Zone, the review on the electricity tariffs, and the national building code, to name a few.
SICCI Board chairlady, Namoi Kaluae, acknowledged the government for its ongoing support in providing a conducive investment environment, adding that SICCI looks forward to the bills on electricity, the national building code, Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and other important legislation.
SICCI Chairlady Kaluae also expressed appreciation for the government’s ongoing efforts to boost the productive sector, which aligns with SICCI’s vision.
SICCI is also in the process to update its Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the government. In this regard, the SICCI chairlady remarked that the only change to the MOU is that it will be reviewed biennially (every 2 years).
The Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce and Industry will host its prestigious 8th Business Excellence Award in mid-November.
Eleven awards will be available for potential awardees, with the twelfth award being the Prime Minister’s Business Excellence Award.
So far, more than 40 nominations have been received across the different categories of awards, and the nomination period is now closed.
