A Solomon Islands delegation of government, business and education representatives has completed a study tour to Sydney to learn from Australia’s approaches to local content and procurement and to help inform the development of local content policy in Solomon Islands.
The 12–16 October visit provided an opportunity for delegates to learn from New South Wales Government approaches to linking major infrastructure investment with opportunities for local businesses, workers and communities.
The study tour supported the Solomon Islands Government’s “First Bite, Better Bite” principle, which aims to create greater opportunities for Solomon Islands businesses, suppliers and workers through government procurement.
Led by the Permanent Secretaries for National Planning, Labour and Commerce, and Infrastructure, the delegation engaged with New South Wales government agencies, infrastructure contractors, industry organisations and Indigenous-owned businesses, while visiting infrastructure projects and training facilities across Sydney. The visit explored how procurement and infrastructure investment can support local jobs, skills and businesses, strengthen domestic supply chains and build long-term national capability.
A strong focus of the tour was learning from Australian First Nations experiences. Delegates engaged with the NSW Indigenous Chamber of Commerce, Western Sydney University, the Aboriginal Housing Company, Indigenous consultancy Tika EQ and Indigenous construction firm BY Group to explore how procurement, business development, skills and employment initiatives can create lasting economic opportunities for Indigenous communities.
Discussions in Sydney will help inform the Solomon Islands Government’s ongoing work to strengthen its approach to local content and procurement, including how future procurement settings can create greater opportunities for locally owned businesses and workers.
Permanent Secretary Brian Lenga said the study tour had shown how procurement and infrastructure investment can contribute more broadly to Solomon Islands’ economic development.
“This study tour has given us an opportunity to see how NSW is creating opportunities for local businesses and workers through infrastructure investment, and to consider what approaches may work for Solomon Islands,” Mr Lenga said.
“Our aim is to see more Solomon Islanders participating in and benefiting from our development, through more opportunities for our businesses, our workers and our young people.”
Australian High Commissioner Jeff Roach welcomed the delegation’s focus on strengthening local participation in infrastructure and procurement.
“The majority of Australian-supported infrastructure in Solomon Islands continues to be delivered by Solomon Islanders, and Australia is committed to working alongside Solomon Islands to strengthen the skills, businesses and systems that support greater local participation,” High Commissioner Roach said.
“This study tour has brought government, industry and education representatives together to exchange ideas and consider practical approaches that can support Solomon Islands’ own priorities for localisation and economic development.”
The delegation included representatives from the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet; the Ministries of Infrastructure Development; Finance and Treasury; Commerce, Industry, Labour and Immigration; National Planning and Development Coordination; and Rural Development, alongside Solomon Islands businesses, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Solomon Islands National University.
The tour was supported by Australia in partnership with the Solomon Islands Government and the Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
