BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele said his government welcomes the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between Papua New Guinea-Solomon Islands Business Council and the Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SICCI).

He made the statement as guest speaker at the Papua New Guinea-Solomon Islands Business Council meet and greet event held at the Honiara Golf Club Friday last week.

The MoU establishes a framework for cooperation between PNGSIBC and SICCI to strengthen business linkages, facilitate trade, and promote investment.

It reflects a shared commitment to advancing private sector partnerships, charitable collaborations and fostering regional economic growth.

It was officially signed at the Solomon Breweries Head Office last week.

Speaking at the event on Friday, PM Manele said that the MoU is an important milestone to strengthen Solomon Islands’ business and economic ties with Papua New Guinea.

He said that the MoU is a platform for dialogue between the Papua New Guinea-Solomon Islands Business Council as well as SICCI for networking and innovation and collaborations on multiple avenues for trade and investment.

“But it is also an avenue that we can explore labour mobility arrangements in the private sector between our two countries as we heard from PNGSIBC President. We believe that exchange of skilled training between our countries and our people is critical to driving the economy forward,” PM Manele said.

“Greater private sector engagement between our two countries will not only expand trade and investment, but will also deepen the bonds of cooperation, cultural exchange and understanding between our two governments and peoples,” he said.

The PM said that the government looks forward to that partnership to provide an enabling policy environment that will help to enhance the growth of the private sector through this platform between the PNG Chamber of Commerce and the SICCI.

“I had a very good meeting with PNGSIBC President and his team. We discussed a number of issues, in terms of continuing to enhance business collaboration, but also exploring investment opportunities in the productive sector, which is the priority focus of my government, investments in fisheries, agriculture, in commerce, in tourism, ensuring that we have our people having that opportunity to go and train and work in Papua New Guinea and vice versa, in building on those skills to develop both our countries,” PM Manele said.

For feedback, contact: [email protected]