By Loretta B Manele

Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SICCI) is ready to work with the government through a proposed MOU.

Namoi Kaluae, SICCI chairlady assured government of this during the recent “PM’s Breakfast” event at the Heritage Park Hotel.

She stressed that SICCI’s strategic plan 2025-2030 aligns with the Solomon Islands government plan framework.

“I would like to reaffirm that as a chamber, we stand ready to support the government in policy dialogue, policy formation and implementation.”

Kaluae emphasized that their strategy to strengthen public private dialogue directly supports the government’s goal for greater collaboration with the private sector thus they look forward for the implementation of the proposed enhanced MOU(Memorandum of Understanding).

She went on to talk about how SICCI’s strategic plan aligns with the SIG plan framework.

Kaluae said firstly, their plan focuses on enhancing the enabling environment and this directly supports the government’s commitment to fostering economic growth and job creation.

Second to that, she stated that by facilitating business competitiveness and trade, they contribute to the government’s goals of increasing exports and attracting foreign investment.

Lastly, Kaluae said their emphasis on public private partnerships ensures that they are working hand in hand with the government to implement key projects and initiatives that benefit Solomon Islands.

She also expressed that SICCI’s commitment to building the capacity of the private sector aligns with the government’s focus on skills development and training.

“SICCI will coordinate Solomon Islands in-country training programs for the private sector.”

She said an example is that some of the current trainings that they gain from is the annual national procurement training which is jointly facilitated with the Ministry of Finance and Treasury and they have just recently revived the SICCI CEMA (Commodities Export Marketing Authority) trade training with the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL).

Kalua mentioned that it is trainings like this that can lead to enhanced SMEs (Small Medium-sized Enterprises) and farmers to better understand trade processes.

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

Minister of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology (MECCDM) Trevor Mahaga thanked partners, businesses, and people who have championed recycling efforts in the Solomon Islands.

Delivering his keynote address on the SIBC Radio Talk Back show on Sunday to mark Global Recycling Day 2025, Minister Mahaga thanked the relevant partners for recognising the need to address environmental issues and support through funding and technical support to relevant government agencies.

Mahaga also thanked provincial governments for their continuous collaboration with the national government through his ministry and other ministries and stakeholders to discuss environmental challenges facing the provinces and find a way forward for a clean, safe, and beautiful province.

“I commend your efforts to initiate plans and collaborate with other partners for a clean and sustainable environment for our people and communities,’’ he said.

He also commends the NGOs, churches, schools, and civil society groups for their partnership and efforts to safeguard the environment.

“I wish to acknowledge the foreign groups for your outstanding work and efforts in promoting recycling and contributions towards waste management. The recycling companies and private sector for your work in recyclable collections of some materials and promotion of sustainable production within your industries.

He also acknowledges the efforts by recycling companies in Honiara and the provinces and industries that have policies and plans to promote sustainable consumption and production.

“The community initiatives, as well as volunteer groups and individuals that work towards creating free and healthy communities with proper waste management practices in place, as well as supporting community-based natural resource management initiatives. I am encouraged by the efforts championed by our recycling heroes,’’ said Mahaga.

“This must be sustained. Every contribution counts. Together, we can fight waste and pollution and build a sustainable future for the Solomon Islands,’’ he said.

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

One case relating to the violation of the plastic ban regulation is currently with the court while another is under investigation.

Wendy Beti, chief environment officer of the Environment and Conservation division provided the update during the Global Recycling Day 2025 SIBC Radio Talk Back show on Sunday.

She said that the regulation comes into force on the 1st of September 2023 and its full implementation comes in place second of March 2024.

“Recently we have one case where that is currently with the court and there is another case currently under investigation,” said Beti.

“On the plastic ban, as we know, the regulation that bans single-use plastic focuses on five types of items, Plastic shopping bags, Plastic straws, PET water bottles less than 1.5 litres, Polystyrofoam takeaway plates cups forks and spoons and Plastic cups, plates and cutleries (knives, forks and spoons),” she said.

She stressed that Businesses or vendors are supposed not to distribute, sell or supply those products.

Beti said that the Ministry with stakeholders including the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF), Honiara City Council (HCC) Law enforcement department, and Customs, collaborated previously to carry out joint monitoring throughout last year.

“Monitoring still going on,” she said.

She said that the Ministry called on the public for anyone with information on any non-compliance with the plastic ban to report it.

“Because the moment anyone still distributes, sells or distributes those banned items, you are breaking the regulation,” said Beti.

She further said that the enforcement agencies comprised of different stakeholders are still working closely together to carry out enforcement plastic ban in the country.

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By Loretta B Manele

Changes for women and girls’ rights in Solomon Islands is not happening fast enough.

Aaron Pitaqae, deputy secretary for the Ministry of Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs (MWYCFA) raised this earlier this month at the International Women’s Day (IWD) event at the National Museum Auditorium.

Referring to the event’s theme “Accelerate Action for All Women and Girls; Rights, Equality and Empowerment”, he said it is telling us that while changes are happening in the realization of women’s rights, equality and empowerment, these changes are not happening fast enough.

Pitaqae stressed that we need to speed up and accelerate actions and steps within respective government ministries, organizations, agencies and sectors to enrich long historical issues facing women of our country.

He added that at the same time, we must ensure that we don’t backtrack.

Pitaqae mentioned that in our efforts, we are faced with unprecedented and emerging issues.

Meanwhile, he said the Solomon Islands government through MWYCFA, is responsible for a significant policy framework called “Affirmative Action Strategy 2022-2027” that seeks to support the acceleration of advancement and empowerment of women in Solomon Islands.

“Accelerating women’s prospects and pathway to leadership decision-making and governance, this is a first of its kind for Solomon Islands.”

He explained that the strategy establishes commitment that adopting temporary special measures is key to accelerating equality between women and men.

Pitaqae highlighted that as we celebrate this event and work through 2025, we should ask ourselves whether we are accelerating action or if we are still taking our time to do so.

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