BY INDY MAEALASIA

THE Solomon Islands Tertiary Education and Skills Plan (SITESP) 2026 scholarships, set to open in less than two weeks, will introduce a new tuition-only scholarship model aimed at increasing student intake.

Chair of the SITESA Board, Qila Tuhanuku explained that the inclusion of this category is based on insights gathered through SITESA’s data analysis.  

“Basically, the new element for this year is the tuition only scholarship and that is based on the insights that SITESA has gathered,” she said.

Ms Tuhanuku emphasised that including this category is necessary to expand access to scholarships while managing budgeting.

“This is always something that the board looks at on how well does our budget deliver for us in terms of the number of people we educate but also the number that we need for the workforce,” she said.

She clarified that the tuition-only scholarships for 2026 will apply for those applicants’ undertaking studies at the Solomon Islands National University (SINU).

“But I think it is a very good step forward to be able to reach those students that currently don’t get an allocation at all because our scholarships are only full coverage,” she said.

Under this plan, the government will provide up to 1,445 scholarships starting next year.

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

The 2025 National Trade Fair (NTF) is more than just an exhibition.

Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele voiced this when he officially opened the 2025 Annual National Trade Fair at the FOPA Village, Solomon Islands National University (SINU) campus in East Honiara on Wednesday, July 2, 2025.

He stressed that platforms at the National Trade Fair aims to forge people-to-people links, bridging rural communities to Honiara and other urban centres.

Manele also stated that the fair opens pathways to local and international markets, educates and shares trade, business and government information and honours the country’s local talent, creativity and innovation.

“As highlighted by the Deputy Prime Minister during the launch of the National Trade Fair, this initiative is also about empowerment. It is about enabling our women in business, our youth innovators and our artisans to find their voice, space and market,” said PM Manele.

He said the government remains committed to providing that enabling environment for businesses to thrive through infrastructure development, improving access to finance, advancing digital transformation and implementing regulatory reforms.

“Together, we can make it easier for our local businesses to thrive and compete successfully. To our private sector and business community at large, the government values and appreciates your participation and investment. Your innovations and perseverance are essential to our shared progress,” he said.

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele said the 2025 National Trade Fair (NTF) builds on the Government of National Unity and Transformation’s (GNUT) policy pillar on economic transformation.

Manele said the annual National Trade Fair facilitates and promotes the development of trade and business activities in the country.

“It also contributes to Objective 1 of our National Development Strategy 2016-2035 and that is sustained and inclusive economic growth,” PM Manele said when he officially opened the NTF yesterday, Wednesday, July 2, 2025.

“As I have said on several occasions, we are graduating out of the Least Developed Countries (LCD) list of countries, but as a country, we would like to use trade as a strategy not only to prepare for that graduation, but also to sustain the country post-graduation,” he said.

“The National Trade Fair is also aligned with the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, Labour and Immigration functions within the Marketing Division, including promoting goods and services provided by small and medium-sized enterprises,” said Manele.

He expressed that these events unite producers, innovators, entrepreneurs and investors under one banner, showcasing the very best of the islands.

“From agriculture and unique handicrafts to our vibrant tourism offerings, innovative technologies and public services,” he said.

Manele said the trade fair is a testament to the nation’s capacity, creativity and resilience.

“Our strength lies in how we prepare our local businesses to innovate, adapt, grow and connect to broader markets nationally, regionally and at an international level,” said PM Manele.

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

Poitete Station Forestry officer, George Bena is super excited to be part of this year’s National Trade Fair (NTF), currently underway in Honiara.

Held at the FOPA SINU Panatina campus in East Honiara, the NTF aims to promote innovation, showcase local products and connect Solomon Islanders across all sectors of commerce, culture and creativity.

As Forestry Officer, Mr Bena plays a separate role, including tree climbing, tree breeding, and crafting, since working under the ministry for 31 years.

Before this year’s National Trade Fair, Mr Bena who hails from Guadalcanal Province, based in Poitete, with the help of his colleagues, assembled a total of 16 different tree seedlings and transported them for the ongoing NTF in Honiara.

“All the seedlings we introduced here were taken from other places; however, we breed them. So, these are some of the best tree seedlings we breed. So, these are some of the best trees for timber, export, furniture, etc,” said Mr Bena.

The tree species arrived via MV Pelican Express on Sunday and cost around SBD$3000 to be transported to Honiara.

“One of the new species here is dulian, which has a high demand in the market. This is the first time for it to been introduced at a Trade Show. It costs about 100 dollars per fruit. Most of these species were put on trial before being transported to be displayed here at the National Trade Fair show,” he said.

He said that people can make orders from the ministry if they are interested in planting these species.

“These species have different uses as well. Most are local species. The idea is also to reintroduce the local species and encourage people to plant them, since logging has damaged these species, we have to replant them. It can be used for furniture, chairs. Not only for export. It is useful for our use as well.

“We must plant many trees as well to counter the impact of climate change. We also introduce fruit trees. The trade is important to showcase these forestry products. The government should organise such an event annually to promote and encourage people about our forestry resources,” said Bena.

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele has officially opened the 2025 Annual National Trade Fair at the FOPA Panatina, SINU campus on Wednesday, July 2, 2025.

This year’s annual National Trade Fair was hosted by the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, Labour and Immigration (MCILI) in partnership with Solomon Islands National University (SINU).

This event is scheduled to coincide with the country’s 47th Independence Anniversary celebrations on July 7, 2025.

This trade show is the first since it was last held in the capital in 2014, signalling the revival of a major platform for promoting innovation, showcasing local products and connecting Solomon Islanders across all sectors of commerce, culture and creativity.

Manele said this year we unite under the empowering theme “Trade for Transformation, Rebuilding the Happy Isles”, which underscores our commitment to building a brighter future together.

The opening programme started with drum beating, morning devotion, DJ entertainment, speeches and cake cutting to unveil the event and stall tour for the guests and dignitaries.

“I am delighted to officially declare the Solomon Islands Annual National Trade Fair 2025 open,” said PM Manele.

Minister responsible for Commerce, Industry and Labour, Jimmy Vokia, thanked the government of National Unity and Transformation Government (GNUT) for hosting the important event.

“Annual Trade Fair is one of the core services of the MCILI. It’s about fostering and sustaining livelihoods. This one has embodied this essential partnership between the government, our dynamic private sector and our communities,” he said.

He said that true rebuilding is about empowering Solomon Islanders.

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BY INDY MAEALASIA

THE 2025 National Trade Fair kicked off with a bang yesterday, drawing in dozens of businesses, government ministries and local vendors across Honiara, Guadalcanal and even other provinces.

Amidst the colourful display of homemade crafts, local innovations and sizzling food stalls, stands Gabriella Lovi from East Guadalcanal – a wife, mother, grandmother and a pineapple farmer.

For many Honiara residents, the revived trade fair brings back memories of the early 90s and 2000s but for Lovi, now in her 60s, it marks a proud milestone: her first-ever opportunity to sell her sweet, fleshy pineapples.

Tucked away from the main stage, her modest stall has drawn a steady stream of customers.

Sitting among fellow farmers, Lovi spares several of her minutes with Island Sun, sharing her excitement and nervousness.

“This is my very first time at the trade show and I am happy to be here,” says the farmer.  

Selling 110 pineapples priced between $10 and $30, Ms. Lovi explains that her participation came by chance.

“I was just asked to come and sell my pineapples here so I went to my garden, harvested and came to Honiara,” recalls Lovi.

Only being in the pineapple business for a year, Lovis shares that she was inspired by other fellow villagers who were making money from selling pineapples.

“I  saw them selling and I wanted to be like them, so I started planting and now that I have already harvested and started selling at the market and now here, I finally see money and I am so happy,” she said.

When asked about the advice she would give to other women Lovi says;

“I tell them not to depend too much on their husbands. I believe strong women can also do men’s work but I also remind them that if your husband is working hard, you can help him too, no matter what.”

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