The Commodities Export Marketing Authority (CEMA), trading as Solomon Commodities has reaffirmed its commitment to re-establish operations in Tulagi.
A CEMA delegation met with the Central Islands Provincial Government (CIPG) on Friday 20 September to reaffirm this commitment as part of CEMA’s ongoing determination to revitalize operations in all Provinces.
This strategic initiative is set to benefit Central Province and neighboring provinces including Isabel, Malaita, and Makira.
The ongoing recapitalization and revitalization of CEMA operations in the country is one of the priority policies of the Government for National Unity and Transformation (GNUT) to boost cocoa and copra production in rural areas.
At Friday’s meeting, Provincial Premier Michael Salini strongly supported the project, stating, “Our province has long waited for such an investment.
“Since the departure of major investors like the National Fisheries Development (NFD), our local economy has struggled, and many of our citizens have felt the impact. We are excited and look forward to having CEMA operations in Tulagi on provincial property. This is a project for our people, and the sooner it happens, the better,” Premier Salini said
He further expressed the importance of CEMA’s presence in bringing much-needed economic opportunities to Central Islands Province, which he described as a lifeline for the province’s future prosperity.
He also thanked the CEMA delegation for visiting the province to reaffirm their commitment.
In response, CEMA CEO, Patterson Siliota, emphasized the wide-reaching impact of the planned operations in Central Province.
“This operation will significantly benefit our farmers by providing them with better access to markets and services. By establishing CEMA’s operations and bringing infrastructure closer to rural communities, farmers will no longer need to travel long distances to sell their produce. This will not only increase their income but also reduce logistical barriers that have previously hampered agricultural productivity,” Siliota said.
Director of the CEMA Cabinet Subcommittee, Simon Chottu, expressed gratitude to the Premier and the Provincial Executive for their unwavering support.
“We are honored by the commitment of the Central Provincial Government to this initiative. CEMA is fully committed to implementing services that align with both the provincial and national government priorities, and to ensuring that we meet the needs of farmers in Central Province and nine provinces,” Chottu said.
“This reaffirmation marks a key milestone in CEMA’s efforts to re-establish itself as a driving force in trading the Solomon Islands’ agricultural commodities, ensuring that rural farmers can thrive and that the local economy is revitalized,” he added.
-Govt Com Unit
