Registration opens for the 12th Australia-Solomon Islands Business Forum in April

Thursday 2 March, Honiara – The Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SICCI) in partnership with the Australia Pacific Islands Business Council (APIBC) are pleased to announce that online registration for the 12th Australia Solomon Islands Business Forum is now open.

The forum will be held in Brisbane, Australia on 18 April to 19 April 2023.

The two-day forum, hosted by APIBC and SICCI, will bring together senior Australian and Solomon Islands business and government representatives to hear and discuss information on current issues relating to doing business in Solomon Islands.

The Forum will take place at the at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre.

The 12th Australia Solomon Islands Business Forum this year has the theme ‘Solomon Islands: Open for Business Again’. The business forum is on again after two years of travel restrictions and disruptions due to the global pandemic.

SICCI Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Ms Natalina Hong said the Chamber values its partnership with the Australia Pacific Islands Business Council in providing an opportunity for businesses and government representatives from both neighbouring countries to come together, to connect with established business colleagues, engage and harness new business opportunities.

“Like other countries Solomon Islands is going through recovery, and as a Chamber we are committed to ensuring businesses drive opportunities, especially for SICCI members, encourage Australian  investors and solutions for a better business environment .

SICCI Board Chairman, Mr Ricky Fuo’o said,” over the years bilateral and trade relations between Australia and Solomon Islands has been growing, and that Solomon Island remains a potential market and offers good investment opportunities for Australian Businesses.

Despite this trade imbalance between Solomon Islands and Australia continues to widen, and such forum can elevate some solutions, and continue to gap of imbalance.

In 2020 before the peak of global disruption, Australia exported $45.8 million to Solomon Islands, while Solomon Islands exported $5.14 million to Australia. According to official records the last 25 years the exports of Solomon Islands to Australia have increased at an annual rate of 1.57%. The forum provides a venue to explore these issues and also provide connections for better understanding.”

The economy is slowly recovering from the impact of Covid-19 related border closures aided by a strong pipeline of infrastructure projects to be developed over the next 5 years.

“In addition to providing key information about prospective business opportunities, the Forum brings together key business and government representatives from Australia and Solomon Islands and provides a unique opportunity for networking and exploring business opportunities,” a media statement from SICCI said.

There are a number of areas of interest and possible growth that will be covered in the program including trade and investment, mining, economy, law, governance, tourism, agriculture, and infrastructure.

APIBC exists to build effective business relationships between Australia and Solomon Islands to support trade and investment between Australia and Solomon Islands and economic growth in Solomon Islands.

This Forum is seen as a great way to further develop these connections.

Solomon Islands has a lot to offer, and this Forum will provide an excellent overview.

Interested businesses can get in touch with the SICCI Secretariat at Hyundai Mall for more information to email [email protected]

-SICCI Media

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