BY INDY MAEALASIA

The Solomon Islands Ports Authority (SIPA) hosted its 2024 Stakeholders’ Appreciation Night on Saturday at the Heritage Park Hotel, as a gesture of gratitude.

The event saw each stakeholder receive a recognition award as a token of appreciation for their contributions to SIPA’s operations and success.

SIPA Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mr. Eranda Kotelawala, addressed the attending stakeholders, highlighting the interdependence between SIPA and its stakeholders.

“What we do is facilitate trade. Whether you are importing or exporting, you keep the ports moving. All the volumes and our revenue are determined by how well you are doing. If you are not doing well, it means the port is not doing well too. But if you are doing well, the port is doing well,” Kotelawala stated.

He emphasized that SIPA’s success is closely tied to the success of its stakeholders.

“That is why you are part of our business. You are the key stakeholders of our success—whether it’s the infrastructure projects we undertake, the new systems we implement, our expansions, or the future that depends on our success as a collaborative effort,” Kotelawala said.

SIPA’s initiative to recognize the contributions of its key stakeholders began in 2019 but was paused due to the COVID-19 pandemic, until this year.

“This is really a big thank you to all of you for your valued support in making our ports one of the most successful state-owned enterprises in the Solomon Islands and one of the best ports in the region,” Kotelawala remarked.

He expressed that the recognition was sincere and not just a marketing tool, gimmick, or publicity stunt.

Although not all stakeholders were present, Kotelawala hopes to host a much larger event in the coming years.

“We are not in a position to invite all our stakeholders due to certain restrictions, such as space and other factors. But when we have more space in the future, we plan to make it a much bigger event,” he added.