SICCI welcomes High Commissioner, paves way for historic Business Forum with PNG

The Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SICCI) warmly welcomed the courtesy visit of the Solomon Islands High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea, His Excellency William Soaki, to its headquarters today.

The meeting provided a valuable opportunity for SICCI’s leadership and High Commissioner Soaki to discuss concrete areas where the Solomon Islands private sector can engage more deeply with Papua New Guinea through trade and investment.

SICCI Chair, Ms. Namoi Kaluae, highlighted the chamber’s active steps to strengthen economic ties, announcing that SICCI is preparing to host the inaugural Solomon Islands-Papua New Guinea Business Forum in partnership with the PNG Solomon Islands Business Council in the first half of 2026.

“Our objective is clear: to drive some local Solomon Islands businesses into the PNG market.

 “The Chamber wants to see a significant increase in our exporters and investors accessing the opportunities in PNG. 

“This forum is a critical step, but our vision extends further. We must also work towards enhanced bilateral trade frameworks, and crucially, develop agreements that ease the exchange of workers and skilled labour between our nations. 

“This will allow us to fill critical skill gaps and build human capacity alongside business links,” Ms. Kaluae stated

During discussions, SICCI’s Chief Executive Officer James Dolarii emphasised the chamber’s ongoing commitment to seek out growth avenues for members.

“Despite our narrow private sector base, SICCI is continuously scoping opportunities for our businesses in trade, export, investments, and other sectors.

“PNG is a close Pacific neighbour with whom we share cultural and business similarities. It also boasts a significant market base that is ideal for our gradually growing economy, particularly in manufacturing, tourism, and cross-border investment,” the CEO stated

High Commissioner Soaki affirmed his office’s full support for the initiative, highlighting that his office in Port Moresby looks forward to working closely with SICCI to facilitate, and promote these business opportunities for Solomon Islands enterprises.

In acknowledging the support for this growing economic relationship, SICCI Chair Ms. Kaluae concluded by saying “SICCI extends its gratitude to His Excellency and the Solomon Islands Government for their support in building this important relationship and initiative. The upcoming Business Forum will be a pivotal platform not just for networking, but for laying the substantive groundwork to achieve these shared goals.”

The discussions concluded in the confirmation of the inaugural Solomon Islands Papua New Guinea Business Forum, expected to be held in April 2026.

This landmark event will feature high-level business dialogues focused on fostering economic growth, business investment, trade, export, and infrastructure support and development between the two Melanesian nations.

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SICCI statement