Pacific Games to create opportunities for local businesses  

HONIARA, 18 February, 2022 – Businesses in Solomon Islands will be looking to get in on the action as preparations continues for the 17th Pacific Games in Solomon Islands in 2023.

The Games will be held in Honiara from 19th November to 2nd December 2023.

The Games Organizing Committee (GOC) in partnership with the Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SICCI) on Wednesday 16th February hosted an online session where GOC’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Peter Stewart delivered a virtual presentation for businesses.

The presentation gave an overview of the 2023 Games and an explanation on how businesses can benefit and engage with the GOC.

The GOC is committed to working closely with SICCI and its members and businesses in general to achieve the best outcome for businesses from the first ever Pacific Games to be hosted in Solomon Islands.

Games CEO, Mr. Stewart says GOC certainly needs to work in partnership with businesses to be able to deliver this event.

“The 2023 Pacific Games will be the largest project to date to ever ran in the Solomon Islands and it is on a scale and scope that has never been seen previously. As such, it is important that we give some information on how businesses can be involved in the Games because we want local businesses to take every opportunity and to be able to grow as a result of the Games,” he said.

The Games is expecting to welcome over 5000 athletes and officials from 24 Pacific Island nations with over 3000 volunteers and contractors.

It’s an opportunity for businesses to further strengthen the relationships that they’ve had or find new partnerships with overseas businesses for goods and services.

In order to deliver a successful Games, the GOC will require a range of goods and services provided by businesses with the main expenditure expected in technology, services, professional fees, maintenance and repairs, hospitality, consumables and accommodation.

The biggest business for the Games by far is in catering as the GOC will be looking at providing 15,000 meals per day for the two weeks of competition and have already started a process of engaging with potential local caterers to meet this demand.

“The way we are going to the market is very open and transparent because we want everybody to have an opportunity to be involved and have a chance of being able to bid on services and goods we are going to use for the Games,” Mr. Stewart said.

The GOC has established a partnership with SICCI, as the peak body representing private sector in the country, to ensure businesses, particularly those in the Solomon Islands, have the opportunity to be involved.

Meanwhile, the Chief Executive Officer of SICCI, Ms. Natalina Hong, on behalf of the SICCI Board and its members, thanked the GOC for an insightful presentation to businesses. 

“We greatly appreciate the time and effort put into ensuring our members are knowledgeable and understand the expectations and benefits for businesses engaging in the Pacific Games 2023.

We look forward to working closely with the Games Organizing Committee leading up to the Games,” SICCI CEO, Ms. Hong, said.

The purpose of this week’s initial presentation to businesses was also to set some level of expectations as well. For businesses to understand where the opportunity is and where they can become involved.

“We are running a project that will eventually lead up to the two weeks of competition, for this reason guaranteed delivery is something we take very seriously and we are looking for companies that can show a commitment to the Games, “Mr. Stewart said.

Sol2023 Media