BY JOHN HOUANIHAU
THE Solomon Islands Party for Rural Advancement (SIPRA) has announced its intention to focus on supporting small and medium-sized businesses if elected.
SIPRA’s President, Gordon Darcy Lilo, said Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) are the backbone of the Solomon Islands economy and often face challenges.
“SMEs are the key players in rebuilding the country’s economy, and SIPRA is the one that is going to make a difference to the economy by supporting the SMEs to thrive,” said the Party President and former Member of Parliament for Gizo/Kolombangara constituency Lilo during the recent launch of the party’s manifesto in Honiara.
Reflecting on the importance of SMEs in countries like Asia, Mr. Lilo said that SMEs is the way forward in making the economy recover, grow stronger, and become healthier.
“The major key factor about SMEs is that all economies in Asia, for instance, that have adopted SMEs have all grown stronger. Come external shock, they are always stronger,’’ he said.
Lilo said if elected, the party plans to collaborate with business owners to develop policies benefiting the sector. The announcement is seen as a positive step towards addressing these needs.
He said that the SIPRA will support SMEs in the sectors of tourism, agriculture, and fisheries.
“Solomon Islands has only made one single investment for the last 8 years. That is Gold Ridge mining.
“Ask any single Members of Parliament (MPs) who are contesting right now what they do to earn foreign exchange into this country. I did. It was Kolombangara Forest Product Limited (KFPL) that employed many people from the provinces in the country,’’ Lilo said.
“Then you stand the change of understanding the kinds of dynamics that we are talking about right now, the SMEs. Because it is like this, we often fight over land. Four years ago, before COVID-19, I told the government to establish additional canneries in the Solomon Islands,’’ Lilo added.
“Why, so that we can export to big markets in Asia or Europe? We need one here in Guadalcanal province and one in Malaita province, and you know what? Our economy will even grow stronger.
“The donors will give money to them. Donors will open a supply market for SMEs. SMEs will play a big role in the service industry as well; for example, SMEs will provide contracting services in education, health, or even digital connectivity,’’ Lilo pointed out.
He said that there is a need to create more investment for this younger population and the future generations of this country, the Solomon Islands.
“Get these two, the Malaita and Guadalcanal provinces, with new canneries, as the kickstart in the next two years to sustain in terms of foreign exchange, create income, and create employment.”
Lilo said that SIPRA will work with people in urban and provincial centers, where the finances will provide the technical capacity building and coaching modeling.
“We will strengthen youth art work in the provinces, circulate it, and put it in the system. In arts and crafts, I must tell you that SMEs in Indonesia, for instance, have grown so formidable. Even in the case of digital technology, SMEs play a key role. They come up with a small product of internet services and connectivity, and it’s going very well,’’ he said.
“The right sector drivers for SMEs will include tourism, agriculture, and fisheries. What is needed is to put money or budget fairly into these sectors,’’ he said.
