SICCI encourages businesses to reopen doors, shares sympathy for those affected

Wednesday 9 December, Honiara – The Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SICCI) would like to express its sympathy to all the businesses that have been burnt, looted and affected by the recent unrest.

SICCI would also like to encouraging business houses that have not been affected to resume operations as the situation slowly returns to normalcy following the recent unrest and political instability in the capital Honiara.

SICCI, as the peak body representing the private sector in the country, since the start of the unrest has been in constant communication with its partner the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) under the MoU between the two organisations.

“There is assurance from authorities of safety and restoration of law and order in Honiara City, as such, the business community is encouraged to return to businesses as usual. The sooner we get things up and running again the sooner we can start the healing and recovery process.

“We wish also to assure the business community and the general public of the RSIPF’s capability with the regional support from Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Papua New Guinea.

“Businesses have been resilience in coping with the effects of the global pandemic and it is more important for us businesses to continue to be resilient as we anticipate to adapt to this disruption, maintain continuous business operations and safeguard our people and assets,” a SICCI statement said today (Wednesday 8 November, 2021).

SICCI also wishes to highlight an important point from the business’s perspective in regards to the economic uncertainty and political instability as witnessed in the country this past week.

“Business cannot thrive without economic and political stability. As a Chamber we condemn the recent unrest, looting and burning targeting businesses, to which the business community has been greatly affected.

“To achieve our combined vision of a prosperous Solomon Islands, all leaders should exercise their roles with a mind to how political rhetoric impact on popular sentiment which can adversely affect efforts to project Solomon Islands as a favourable place to do business,” the SICCI statement added.

SICCI reiterates its reminder to every one of the already challenging situation we have been going through for last two years due to the unforeseen challenges posed by COVID-19 global pandemic.

As a country, we have already experience budget shortage, employment concerns and disruptions too. Political volatility on top of Covid19 crisis will only lead the entire country and its population to a deeper uncertainty.

For the sake of economic stability, continuation of employment and foreign investments SICCI would urge everyone to act with the best interest of the Solomon Islands in mind.

-SICCI Media