SICCI: BUSINESS ENTITIES APPLAUD SOFT MOVEMENT RESTRICTIONS

Monday 21 March 2022, Honiara – The Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SICCI), on behalf of the business community and the Solomon Islands private sector extends its sincere appreciation to the hardworking health workers, police officers and all the front liners including the Australian Medical Team (AUSMAT) and other foreign-deployed teams for their tireless efforts in maintaining the safety and health of our communities over the past two months since the outbreak.

 SICCI acknowledges the government through its COVID-19 Oversight Committee for easing the COVID -19 movement restrictions which will subsequently ease impacts on the private sector.

SICCI, being the peak body representing private sector in the country heartily welcomes the recent announcement by the government to gradually lessen movement restrictions on people, vessels, aircrafts and cargoes internally and to gradually open national borders by July 2022 with an effective and efficient vaccination roll.

The Chamber, in its recommended measures to the Solomon Islands Government in response to COVID -19 stated that the economic slow-down due to COVID-19 breakout is having a significant impact on the Solomon Islands private sector.  Thus, alluded that a feasible trade-off between health and economic considerations to manage this unprecedented health-economic situation is crucial.

Chairman of the SICCI Board Ricky Fuoo acknowledges the government for taking this onboard and says this aligns to some of SICCI submission to the government on immediate recommendations measures to support businesses, which already have some impact on communities and businesses continuity.

“The government’s decision is timely as local private sector employers have faced the real operation threat of tough times to maintain their level of service or products, pay high overhead costs and preserve workers, so this will allow businesses to reopen and once again effectively contribute to our economy,” he said.