The 2025 Annual National Trade Fair (ANTF) is part of strategy to prepare the country graduate out of the Less Developed Country (LDC) list of countries.

Prime Minister, Jeremiah Manele highlighted this at the opening of the trade fair last Wednesday in his keynote address at the SINU Park Village.

 “The Annual National Trade Fair facilitates and promotes the development of trade and business activities in our country.

“As such, it also contributes to objective 1 of our National Development Strategy 2016 to 2035 and that is Sustained and Inclsive Growth. 

“As I have said on a number of occasions, we are graduating out of the LDC list of countries but as a country we would like to use trade as a strategy not only to prepare for that graduation but also to sustain the country post-graduation,” Manele said. 

He said the 2025 ANTF theme: “Trade for Transformation-Rebuilding the Happy Isles”, is an empowering theme, which underscores our commitment to building a brighter future together. 

“Let us embrace this opportunity to foster innovation, collaboration and progress in our country.
“While we face formidable challenges in our journey forward, economic recovery and sustainable development, there are also opportunities for us,” Manele said. 

He added that the country’s vision is to see local businesses thrive, the small and medium enterprises (SMEs) flourish, young people equipped with the skills and opportunities they need to succeed and new opportunities, connections and innovation created and nurtured.

He said, the ANTF also aligns with the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, Labour and Immigration (MCILI) functions within the Marketing Division including promoting goods and services provided by SMEs in local markets, organising annual events such as the National Trade and Investment and Agriculture Forums to enhance the growth and development of SMEs.

By AGNES MENANOPO
Solomon Star, Honiara