THE business community in Gizo concluded two days of successful meetings with the Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SICCI), as the private sector body maintains its strive to connect with businesses in the province to help build their capacity.
SICCI representatives Membership Officer Naomi Mara and training provider Chris Elphick of Breadfruit Consulting, made the Chamber’s first visit in 2018. This visit followed on from previous training held in Gizo Western Province capital from July 4-6, 2017.
25 participants, representing both large and small businesses in Gizo as well as provincial government officials, met with SICCI at the PT109 Bar & Restaurant for a Business Planning training that proceeded throughout the two days visit.
The training is a follow-up from last year’s visit where participants who had attended the inaugural raised their interest for a Business Planning training.
Chris Elphick who delivered the training says the training is aimed at helping all businesses be the best they can be.
“This time our focus was on planning and it was great to work with such a lively group and I look forward to running further training in June and October.
“The training events give a good opportunity for networking and for businesses to help and support each other.
“I commend SICCI for developing its work in the provinces and I am very happy to continue to support business development in Gizo.”
Many positive feedbacks were expressed by participants who acknowledge that the trainings are useful for them as businesses owners.
Ms Mara says, “Apart from delivering the training, the trip was also aimed at getting insights on some of the issues businesses based in Gizo are facing.
“This is to help SICCI understand the challenges businesses are facing in Gizo and to explore avenues to help address these.
“I’m very pleased with the turnout and feedback we’ve had in Gizo and hopefully we can make more visits to the Western Province as we work on to close to gap between the private sector in Honiara and in the provinces.”
In 2017, SICCI made visits to both Gizo and the tuna cannery hub in Noro.
SICCI is planning another two visits to Gizo later on in the year with 2018 plans also scheduled for Auki, Malaita and Kira Kira, Makira.
–SICCI PRESS
