BY JOHN HOUANIHAU
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between Papua New Guinea Solomon Islands Business Council (PNGSIBC) and Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SICCI) sets the foundation for collaborative efforts towards promoting the Solomon Islands (SI) and Papua New Guinea (PNG) economy.
PNGSIBC President Ernie Gangloff expressed this during the PNGSIBC meet and greet event held at the Honiara Golf Club on Friday October.
Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele joined as the guest of honour to mark a historic moment for SI and PNG government and the private sector for the first ever joint networking event.
Speaking at the event, PNGSIBC President Mr. Ernie Gangloff said that this is a first step to focus on just PNG and Solomon Islands in promoting trade between the two countries.
He said that the vision for the Chamber and the Council is to work in a shared partnership and collaboration to grow the economy of both the countries.
“As we’ve identified the impediments to business, we had a meeting with the Prime Minister, and we shared our views on how we can address and support the government. And by sharing that, and supporting the government, we have support from the private sector,” he said.
President Gangloff said that his team got a warm welcome from the Prime Minister, Jeremiah Manele.
“We did when we were last in Sydney, when we met with our Prime Minister. So, as I said, we have support from both political heads, and both parties in the Solomon Islands,” he said.
He said that both governments will work to address work-free visa permits to allow workers to travel vise versa to both countries without tough restrictions.
“What we’re hoping, at the end of the regime, from the visa, will be visa-free. So, there will not be requirements for things like work permits. There will be certain laws in the process, again, that are legal by the legal government status. We hope that that will allow employment across borders to be much easier, as for free. Because we believe we’re going to grow the economy and we should be supportive,’’ President Gangloff said.
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