BY JOHN HOUANIHAU
Papua New Guinea Solomon Islands Business Council (PNGSIBC) & Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SICCI) have officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) yesterday in Honiara.
The MoU signed at the Solomon Breweries Head Office, Ranadi Industrial Estate, in East Honiara is to establish a framework for cooperation between PNGSIBC and SICCI to strengthen business linkages, facilitate trade, and promote investment.
This deal reflects a shared commitment to advance private sector partnerships, charitable collaborations and foster regional economic growth.
Speaking at the event PNGSIBC President Ernie Gangloff said the MoU is stage one of commitment to Solomon Islands government and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
He said that PNGSIBC want to create an environment where Solomon Islands businesses can go and work in Papua New Guinea.
“We have a common interest in growing the economy, both not just from here, but also, we want to invite businesses in Honiara and Solomon Islands to go and invest in Papua New Guinea.
“We’re opening the doors to have a discussion in terms of the policy framework with government, and for businesses incentives themselves,” he said.
He said that PNGSIBC have associations that work with Australian businesses, Asia, and Malaysia and now turn the focus on Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea.
“The message to the Chamber is that we want to partner with you in growing your economy. The message to the government is we want to partner with you in growing your fiscal regime, policy framework, so that businesses don’t have a problem coming and investing here.
He said one key area they will raise with the Prime Minister today, which has already been raised with their government, is a special visa class where Solomon Islanders who work for a Papua New Guinea company will not require a work permit.
“The same thing with a Papua New Guinea company that’s here. So, without all the red tape, without the work permits, that’s the first one we’re trying to illustrate. Like I said, a part of that is looking at what else we can do to try and create that environment to make it work,” Gangloff said.
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