LOCAL businesses both big and small have been urged to come forward and be a member of Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SICCI).
SICCI Chief Executive Officer (CEO) James Dolarii said, as the umbrella body for the country’s private sector, SICCI wants to give a platform such as the Business Excellence Awards (BEA)night to get businesses recognized for their contributions and resilience in driving business activities in the country.
In an interview at the BEA Information Session on Monday 21 October, he called not only on big businesses but also small businesses both in Honiara and the provinces to come forward and be a member of SICCI
“One good thing about joining SICCI is that you get to build connections with other business operators and you get to meet and talk with people who you might need in the future in terms of your business operations.
“Therefore, do not confine yourselves inside the small business activities that you do. You need to open your door, come out and be part of a larger business activity to grow your business with more opportunities of learning.”
Mr Dolarii said, he was recently in Auki where they had a networking session with the local businesses there and going forward, SICCI will also go to other provinces next year for local business networking sessions as well.
He said the business opportunity of BEA is the first prestigious one that if a business applies, the judges will have the opportunity of analysing and reviewing that business’s activities.
“BEA is not only for big businesses, as some might think. It includes small businesses and right now, we have about 200 business members which range from big businesses that have 50 or more employees, medium business with 20 and below employees and below that is small businesses.
“It doesn’t matter how small your business is. Even if it’s just you running your business, you are encouraged to be a member of SICCI. Apply for a SICCI Award and be part of SICCI’s opportunities for private sector businesses,” Mr Dolarii said.
Mr Dolarii said the Young Entrepreneur Council of Solomon Islands (YECSI), which is an arm of SICCI, serves new upcoming small businesses.
Thus, he encouraged new and small businesses to be part of YECSI for two or three years until they have a business account, register their business with Company Haus, gain their license with Honiara City Council (HCC) in Honiara or in the provinces, then you can join and be part of SICCI.
Mr Dolarii said, even though SICCI is not in a position to financially support businesses, what it does is focusing on capacity-development.
“We sometimes receive opportunities from overseas as SICCI is a point of contact for overseas businesses that want us to identify certain products in Solomon Islands.
“When this happens, SICCI prioritises its members and sends the businesses identified to go out and have some international exploration and learning,” he said.
For small businesses, the membership fee for a year is worth $550. This gives one and his/her business to attend information sessions, connect with SICCI and build their network.
By AGNES MENANOPO Solomon Star, Honiara