BY JOY OFASIA
Minister for Finance and Treasury, Hon. Rexon Ramofafia, has officially opened the Solomon Islands National Provident Fund (SINPF) Mini Career and Trade Fair in Honiara, as SINPF marks its 50th Golden Jubilee anniversary.
In his Keynote address at the official opening, Minister Ramofafia said the 50th anniversary represented five decades of service, contribution, responsibility and investment, but above all, five decades of trust, stability and growth.
He said the theme of the anniversary “50 Years of Trust, Stability and Growth” was appropriate because it reflected the Fund’s history while providing a foundation for its future.
“50 years represents the five decades of service contribution, responsibility, investment and above all five decades of trust, stability and growth,” Minister Ramofafia said.
He highlighted the growing importance of national provident funds as institutional investors and their potential contribution to the country’s economic development.
The Minister said investments by the Fund could support businesses, employment, infrastructure, housing, financial services, telecommunications, tourism, fisheries and other productive sectors.
“This is how we can move from serving to investment, to enterprise and to employment and economic opportunities,” he said.
Reflecting on SINPF’s 50-year history, Minister Ramofafia said the anniversary was about more than the institution’s history, but also about the contributions made by generations of Solomon Islanders.
“As we look back over the past 50 years, we are looking at more than history of the institution. We are looking at the contribution of generations of Solomon Islanders and contribution of generations from parents to children,” he said.
The Minister also acknowledged the SINPF Chairman, Board and staff, saying they had inherited an institution built over 50 years.
He described this as both a significant achievement and a great responsibility, stressing that the Fund’s next 50 years would require the same commitment, discipline and integrity that had helped build the institution over the decades.
Minister Ramofafia congratulated SINPF on reaching its 50-year milestone and formally declared the SINPF Mini Career and Trade Fair open.
The two-day fair, which will be held from Tuesday 29 to Wednesday 30 September, is part of a week-long programme celebrating five decades of SINPF’s service to Solomon Islanders.
The event is being organised by SINPF with support from its subsidiaries and shareholder companies, including Solomon Ports (SPOL), Solomon Finance, Solomon Islands Submarine Cable Company and Our Telekom.
The participating companies are showcasing their products, services and promotional offers to members of the public throughout the fair.
SINPF has invited members of the public to visit the showground to learn more about the services provided by the Fund and its subsidiaries and shareholder companies.
The 50th anniversary provides an opportunity for SINPF to reflect on its contribution to Solomon Islanders over the past five decades while looking ahead to its role in investment, economic development and financial security for future generations.
