BY JOHN HOUANIHAU
The 2025 Trade Fair directly aligns with the Government for National Unity and Transformation’s (GNUT) Policy Statement 2.16.
Minister for Agriculture and Livestock (MAL) Franklyn Wasi made the statement whilst delivering a keynote address to officially close this year’s National Trade Fair on Thursday, July 10, 2025.
He said that the (GNUT) Policy Statement 2.16 promotes private sector development by establishing platforms such as this fair to encourage local products, innovation and economic transformation.
“This annual event also contributes to Objective 5 of our National Development Strategy (NDS) to increase economic growth and equitably distribute employment and income benefits,” he said.
Minister Wasi said this initiative reflects the priorities of the Medium-Term Development Strategy (2024-2028), administered by the Ministry of National Planning and Implementation, in close partnership with the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, Labour and Immigration (MCILI).
He said the MCILI’s Marketing Division plays a vital role in promoting local goods and services produced by SMEs.
As mentioned, this is through organising annual trade, investment and agriculture expos to foster SME growth and development and ensuring the visibility and availability of local products in the domestic market.
He said the successful hosting of this trade fair is both an achievement and a fulfilment of key government policies and the core functions of the relevant ministries.
“Transformation” is not just a word in our theme-it is a call to action. A call to transform our economy from dependency to diversity. A call to transform our communities from surviving to thriving. A call to transform our nation, our Happy Isles, into a hub of resilience, creativity, and shared prosperity.
“As we look to the future, we must continue to invest in our local industries, empower our SMEs and support the entrepreneurs-especially our youth and women who are the changemakers of tomorrow. Let us build supply chains that begin with our rural farmers to reach global markets. Let us use trade not only as a vehicle for profit, but as a platform for peace, unity and sustainable development,” he said.
Minister Wasi acknowledged the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, Labour and Immigration (MICIL), the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL), Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce (SICCI), the National Trade Fair Committee and all those who have worked tirelessly to bring the 2025 National Trade Fair to life.
“Your dedication has made this event a success,” concluded Minister Wasi.
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