BY LYNTON AARON FILIA
SIX companies in Taiwan are eyeing Solomon Islands as a place to do business.
This was reported during a workshop on Taiwan Economic and Business Cooperation held at Heritage Park Hotel yesterday.
The six companies in Taiwan were given the chance to interact, network and share business opportunities with the members of Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s members (SICCI).
Following that, the visiting companies also presented their business ideas and shared their interest to invest in Solomon Islands.
Prime Minister Rick Houenipwela said the business forum marks a new beginning for trade agreement between Solomon Islands and Taiwan.
He said over the past three decade, the investment and trade between Solomon Islands and ROC (Taiwan) did not really feature high on the partnership agenda.
However, the one-day forum symbolises both governments’ acceptance as it is now time they address this important sector directly and with serious and focused attention, PM Hou said.
He said they came up with the concept to minimise the country’s continuous reliance on external donors’ generosity into the foreseeable future.
With this, Hou said SIG is strategically positioning itself to increase its focus on trade to supplement aid with the view to replace much of their development aid with trade in the coming decades.
He said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Ministry of Commerce, Industry, Labour and Immigration have been part of the workshop which will further explore opportunities for stronger technical cooperation.
Not only that but mutual partnership in commercial business development partnership and through trade and investment exchange, Hou said.
At the same time, Taiwan’s Ambassador to Solomon Islands Mr Roger Luo said Taiwan’s six companies hope their presence will provide a platform to connect with the right people that they want to meet in Honiara.
He said the one-day business forum has availed opportunities for both countries to explore business opportunities with the aim to achieve tangible results.
His Excellency Luo said the visit of six companies here is a result from SIG’s earnest hope to cooperate with Taiwan to achieve more of Solomon Islands’ development aspirations.
HE Luo said during PM Hou’s visit to Taiwan he met several Taiwanese entrepreneurs and tirelessly advocated this meaningful cause.
“The visit by this Trade Mission is indeed a follow-up and response on our part to PM Houenipwela’s call for more business cooperation between Taiwan and Solomon Islands,” he said.
