By Loretta B Manele

The SICCI (Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce and Industry) has announced its Strategic Plan 2025-2030.

Namoi Kaluae, SICCI Chairlady made the announcement at the PM’s Breakfast- “Catalysing economic growth through an empowered private sector, creating an enabling environment” event at the Heritage Park Hotel yesterday.

She said the private sector will always look forward to this event as it creates a wonderful opportunity for our taxpayers and employers to engage directly and align with the government of the day.

Kaluae expressed that SICCI is excited to announce its Strategic Plan 2025 to 2030 and went on to speak on the four objectives of the plan.

She said the first objective “enabling policy environment” focuses on creating a more enabling policy environment for the private sector to drive economic growth.

Kaluae explained that they aim to achieve this objective by advocating for policies that deliver jobs and growth, enhancing the business environment and actively participating in policy development for both big players and SMEs, (Small Medium Enterprises) including those in the provinces.

She mentioned that they are looking at including SMEs in the provinces so as to formalise them and eventually have them join the chamber.

“This is to ensure economic growth covers all corners of our beautiful Solomon Islands.”

She said it is also important to note a level playing field policy for all businesses and that there is transparency and fair application around incentives and exceptions.

The second objective outlined is “enhancing business competitiveness and trade.”

She said under this objective, their mission is to strengthen business competitiveness and trade through the provision of crucial development assistance, trade initiatives and capacity building opportunities.

Kaluae stressed that they will achieve this through tailored training programmes and insightful surveys that directly address the unique needs of their members.

She added that a central focus of their advocacy is the promotion of quality infrastructure with a strong emphasis on local content.

Kaluae said they believe that prioritising local resources not only bolsters our economy but also empowers local communities and businesses.

“By investing in homegrown solutions, we can enhance sustainability and create jobs, ensuring that the benefits of economic growth are felt throughout our society.”

Thirdly, there is the “public-private partnerships” objective.

She said emphasis of this objective is to strengthen public-private partnerships to promote economic development.

Kaluae stated that their focus is to strengthen value chains and support private sector growth through collaborative projects with both the government and development partners.

She said this is to improve efficiency and productivity at each stage from production to distribution to marketing.

Kaluae highlighted that in order to build a more robust and resilient economy, close engagement with the private sector is needed to assist in structural reforms to promote economic transformation.

In this regard, she recalled having put forward during the last breakfast event, the consideration for the establishment of a cabinet subcommittee.

Kaluae stressed that this is to place priority on all aspects of the private sector like trade, investment, regulation, taxation, legislation and so forth.

“The emphasis here is the platform as such can serve as a focal point to keep you, our decision makers informed on issues affecting us and into the future.

This kind of active participation in policy formation will ensure that government is making decisions with a 360 degree look on things and in the best interest of our economy.”

The fourth or the final objective of SICCI’s Strategic Plan 2025-2030 is to strengthen SICCI’s capacity.

Kaluae said this is to provide independent, effective and sustainable representation of the private sector, all the more, to ensure that SICCI delivers at the highest quality.

For feedback, contact:[email protected]

By Loretta B Manele

The Solomon Islands government (SIG) and Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SICCI) will soon sign a Partnership Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele made the announcement when he gave his remarks at the “PM’s Breakfast”, an event hosted by SICCI at the Heritage Park Hotel yesterday.

He acknowledged SICCI for being a valuable partner to GNUT (Government for National Unity and Transformation).

“I want to take this opportunity again to thank SICCI.

You are a valuable partner of GNUT. You have stood by the government over and over again and have proved to be an indispensable partner in nation building.”

On this note, Manele said he looks forward to the renewed partnership between SIG and SICCI once they sign the Partnership Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in the coming weeks and for close collaboration on the implementation of SICCI’s new strategic plan 2025-2030.

He expressed that his office is always open to SICCI should they need to bring forth national issues.

“As my predecessor always say, my office is always open to you. Whenever there are national issues that needs our attention, please feel free to bring it to my attention.”

Manele stressed that we can transform this country if we are united in our efforts to build our country and our future.

“We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.

We are one people. We are one nation. We are Solomon Islands.”

For feedback, contact:[email protected]

By Loretta B Manele

The roads in Honiara are a disaster thus the MID (Ministry of Infrastructure and Development) permanent secretary and his team of engineers have been called to step up.

Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele raised this at the PM’s Breakfast- “Catalysing economic growth through an empowered private sector, creating an enabling environment” event hosted by SICCI (Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce and Industry) at the Heritage Park hotel yesterday.

He expressed that roads in Honiara are a disaster and there is no other way to put it.

Manele voiced that we keep on fixing these roads every time it rains for the last five years yet there is no improvement.

He said since 2022 up to 2024, we have spent around $84 million in maintaining Honiara roads, an amount coming from the recurrent budget and National Transport Fund.

Manele stressed that apparently, the existing system we are using to maintain our roads is not working.

“The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry for Infrastructure Development and his team of engineers need to step up, address this issue and treat it as an emergency. There needs to be proper monitoring and evaluation of work done.

The Public Works Department must be re-established. We have the political will to do this but unfortunately, there is not much traction from the technical people.”

Manele also called on the Road Transport Board to seek solutions to address issues facing Honiara road transport as well.

“I understand the SICCI is also a member of the Road Transport Board with Honiara City Council, Commissioner of Police, Chief Mechanical Engineer of MID, representatives from the bus and taxi association and Permanent Secretaries.

We need to identify the problems and address them.”

For feedback, contact:[email protected]

BY NED GAGAHE

Minister of Health and Medical Services Dr. Paul Bosawai says that the Naha Birthing and Urban Health Centre, once completed, will lessen and ease the burden at the National Referral Hospital.

Minister Bosawai, together with Australia’s Ambassador for Global Health Dr. Lucas de Toca, visited the centre yesterday during his official visit to the Solomon Islands. The delegation toured the construction works, which are employing nearly 100 local workers, as the building reaches the milestone of being halfway completed.

Minister Bosawai said he was impressed by the progress being made towards the new SBD 250m/AUD 45m health centre.

“The birthing facility center once completed, will lessen and ease the burden at the National Referral Hospital (NRH). The pressure on beds at the current birthing ward at NRH is always extremely high. There are 10 recovery beds in the labour ward. So, if the labour ward has about 18 deliveries per day on average, bed occupancy would, of course, become a huge challenge.

“In 2023, the bed occupancy rate was 126%. Given such challenging situations, mothers should stay at least 24 hours at the hospital upon delivery, but due to the lack of space, mothers are usually discharged eight hours after giving birth. This is very risky for both mothers and babies, as sometimes either the mothers or babies will develop other illnesses while at home. Space limitations at the NRH are a challenge, especially as the population grows at an annual rate of 2.8%.”

“Given the bigger catchment of population in East Honiara, this state-of-the-art birthing unit will accommodate the high demand for health services and provide high-quality service to the surrounding communities here, and the country as a whole,” said Dr. Bosawai.

He acknowledged and thanked the Australian Government for funding the multi-million-dollar project.

During the tour, the VIPs met with nursing staff and health officials to hear about the intensive health planning underway to ensure the centre is equipped and ready to commence service delivery when the facility opens.

Dr. de Toca, who oversees Australia’s regional and global development assistance in health, said the scale and quality of the building is impressive.

“I’m equally impressed by the level of partnership between Australia and Solomon Islands’ health officials to ensure the centre is fitted out with high-quality, fit-for-purpose equipment, with staff fully trained and ready to see patients when it opens early next year,” Dr. de Toca said.

“There is obviously a lot of hard work, care, and collaboration being undertaken by both governments, which will ultimately save lives and improve health outcomes for Solomon Islanders, particularly mothers and babies.”

Australia’s High Commissioner to Solomon Islands, His Excellency Rod Hilton, said the health centre remained a top priority for the Solomon Islands-Australia Partnership.

“What both our governments want is sustainable, high-quality care delivered every day to the people of Solomon Islands,” High Commissioner Hilton said.

“Australia understands the need to deliver this world-class health facility without cutting corners, to deliver high-quality, locally led, and fully fitted-out infrastructure that is built to last.”

The new facility includes a large urban health clinic and a low-risk birthing centre with five delivery suites, seventeen short-stay beds, an operating theatre, and clinical support services. The centre will provide birthing, ante and post-natal care services for women, as well as dental, pathology, x-ray, ultrasound, and pharmacy services for the community.

For feedback, contact:[email protected]

BY NED GAGAHE

The Minister for Health and Medical Services, Paul Bosawai, was joined by Australia’s Ambassador for Global Health, Dr. Lucas de Toca, on a visit to the Naha Birthing and Urban Health Centre, East of Honiara, yesterday morning.

The delegation toured the construction works, which are employing nearly 100 local workers as the building reaches the milestone of being halfway completed.

The Naha Birthing & Urban Health Centre, worth SBD250 million (AUD45 million), is still under construction but has already impressed both Minister Bosawai and Ambassador de Toca with its ongoing progress.

Once completed, the facility will not only benefit the residents of Naha but will also serve people from other provinces.

The new centre is set to provide a new benchmark for health care in the Solomon Islands.

The centre will offer new mothers and mothers-to-be access to the very best pre and post-natal care, giving the next generation of Solomon Islanders the very best start possible and easing the pressure on the National Referral Hospital.

Minister Bosawai shared that in Solomon Islands’ culture, many individuals travel to urban centers to live with relatives while seeking access to specialized health care, particularly during labor and delivery.

He expressed his gratitude for the project, acknowledging that the new facility would bring much-needed improvements to maternal and child health services.

“I am confident that once completed, the Naha Birthing Centre will not only serve the residents of Naha but will also support the wider population of Solomon Islands,” Minister Bosawai said.

He also extended his thanks to the people and government of Australia for their support in making this project possible.

“This is a significant physical change in the health infrastructure of Solomon Islands,” he said, referencing the project’s launch with the Australian Deputy Prime Minister.

Minister Bosawai further acknowledged Dr. Lucas de Toca’s visit and praised the contractor, Reeves, for their excellent work in the construction of the centre.

“Today, we have witnessed significant progress. As the Minister for Health, I can confidently say that this facility will continue to save lives, improving health outcomes for many in Solomon Islands,” he concluded.

Dr. de Toca, who oversees Australia’s regional and global health development assistance, expressed admiration for the scale and quality of the building.

“I’m equally impressed by the strong collaboration between Australia and Solomon Islands’ health officials to ensure the centre is equipped with high-quality, purpose-built equipment, and that staff are fully trained and prepared to serve patients when it opens early next year,” Dr. de Toca stated.

“There is clearly a tremendous amount of dedication, effort, and teamwork from both governments, which will ultimately save lives and enhance health outcomes for Solomon Islanders, especially mothers and babies.”

The project is expected to be completed early next year.

For feedback, contact:[email protected]