HONIARA’S FIRST FINANCIAL INCLUSION EXPO SET TO START

The first ever financial inclusion expo is all set to take place in the capital at the end of this week.

A statement from the Central Bank says the event has generated a lot of interest, and a number of financial institutions, organizations and government agencies.

Speaking in a media conference today, Financial Inclusion Manager at the Central Bank, Caroline Kanoko says the expo has two main objectives.

“This expo has two objectives and they are one for them to know the available financial services that we have in the country and another is on financial literacy so that they can understand with what they are having or more than that, how they can live with money, so that is the aim of the expo.”

The Acting Australian High Commissioner, Dave Peebles together with the Central Bank Governor, Denton Rarawa are expected to jointly officiate the expo’s opening.

The inauguration begins on Friday, with a march by organizations in their corporate colors, led by the Royal Solomon Islands Police Band.

The march starts at 7-thirty am at the Honiara City Council roundabout, to the National Art Gallery at Point Cruz.

Meanwhile, in promoting their financial products and services, stall displays by all participating institutions will be available for customers to answer their questions.

Quiz and speech competitions will also be held for school children and there are attractive prizes to win.

Public quizzes will also be held at regular intervals during the event and will focus on general awareness of financial products.

Being the first of its kind in the country, it is expected that a large number of children, youth, women and the public will visit the Expo grounds and benefit from the organized campaigns.

The Financial Inclusion Expo is being jointly organized by the National Financial Inclusion Taskforce under the Central Bank of Solomon Islands and the Pacific Financial Inclusion Programme.