12th Australia Solomon Islands Business Forum

Albert Maeraga Kabui is the current Special Secretary to the Prime Minister, Hon Manasseh Sogavare. A position he held since the government came into office in 2019. He holds a Professional Diploma in Legal Practice, a Professional Diploma in Legal Drafting and a Bachelors of Arts Degree majoring in Sociology and a Bachelor of Laws Degree with the University of the South Pacific. The Office of the Prime Minister & Cabinet coordinate national developmental priorities and Infrastructure Investment Programmes that are initiated from critical developmental policy of the current government. This includes the construction of key infrastructures for the Pacific Games to be held this year 2023 and other national service infrastructures including Clinics, Wharfs and Schools. Strategic transport network systems – bridges and roads are also substantial elements to building an economic and social platform for development. The presentation will cover what the government intends to develop for its economic development.

Ms. Annette Leith is the World Bank’s Representative for Country Offices in Solomon Islands and Vanuatu, overseeing a portfolio of more than US$630 million in commitments, spanning sectors such as transport, aviation, health, fisheries and agriculture. Ms. Leith has over 20 years’ experience in the international aid and development sector, including policy and strategy development, resource management and oversight of World Bank-financed operations and investments. This is her second positing to Solomon Islands and, in addition to extensive experience across the Pacific region, she has worked in Timor-Leste, Africa, East Asia and Washington D.C. Ms. Leith holds a Bachelor of Management and a Master of Business Administration.

Eranda Kotelawala was appointed Chief Executive Officer of Solomon Islands Ports Authority in February 2017. Prior to that, he was the COO of Fiji Ports Corporation Limited managing five major ports of entry into Fiji.

Eranda earned his master’s degree from Aberdeen Business School in Scotland. He then focused on business process re-engineering, gaining extensive expertise in this area at a number of international ports. This included positions as a senior consultant to Transnet Port Authority in Durban, South Africa and the Port of Sultan Qaboos in Oman.

Carrying more than 25 years of management experience predominantly in shipping in different continents, Eranda is also a Chartered Fellow of Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport UK, Fellow of Chartered Management Institute UK, Associate Fellow of The Nautical Institute UK, and a  full member of Institute of Management Consultants Australia.

Recently Eranda was appointed as the Vice President for International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH) Southeast Asia and Oceania Region

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Eranda Kotelawala was appointed Chief Executive Officer of Solomon Islands Ports Authority in February 2017. Prior to that, he was in-charge of Fiji Ports Corporation Limited managing five major ports of entry into Fiji. As CEO, he brings to his role an extensive portfolio of management experience gained from several multi-national organizations in Sri Lanka, United Kingdom, South Africa, Sultanate of Oman, and Singapore on diverse disciplines such as Shipping, ICT, Pharmaceuticals, Marketing, and Business Process Reengineering. He has consulted on Business Process Re-engineering Projects on major Port projects in the South Pacific, Gulf and South Africa.  Eranda holds a Master’s Degree in Management and Business Process Reengineering from Aberdeen Business School, Scotland. He is a Chartered Fellow of Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport UK, Fellow of Chartered Management Institute UK, Associate Fellow of The Nautical Institute UK, Associate Member of the Royal Institution of Naval Architects and the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology. He is also a member of Institute of Management Consultants Australia

Ian is a Chartered Professional Engineer with over 25 years civil engineering and management experience in South Africa, the UK, New Zealand and the Solomon Islands.  He grew up and studied in South Africa before emigrating to the UK, and then on to New Zealand in 1989.  Ian holds a Bachelor’s degree specialising in water and wastewater, and an Executive MBA from Waikato University. 

Ian has worked mainly in the local government and consulting sectors, predominantly in roading and 3 waters infrastructure management and capital projects, with many years at an executive management level. 

Ian was formerly General Manager Infrastructure at Tauranga City Council before deciding to give something back to society and took up the role of General Manager: Solomon Water in July 2015.  He will finish with Solomon Water after the Pacific Games in December 2023 and will have been the longest serving CEO Solomon Water has had.

He owns his own small consulting company and has held various private and public sector governance roles including on the Board of Directors of the Pacific water and wastewater Association since 2016, and Chairman of the Association since 2021.

He is passionate about the Solomon Isalnds and developing infrastructure to better the lives and health of all Solomon Islanders.

Lorena has extensive experience developing infrastructure investment plans across economic and social sectors, in close collaboration with the Ministries of Finance and Infrastructure and with strong focus in development partner financing coordination and government institutional building. Lorena helped develop infrastructure plans in Tonga, Cook Islands, Vanuatu, Fiji, Samoa, Tuvalu, Kiribati, RMI, Nauru, and Solomon Islands, where she supported the Ministry of National Planning and Development Coordination to develop the Solomon Islands National Infrastructure Investment pipeline in 2019 and 2021.

Matt is a development economist who has spent the last 10 years working for the Asian Development Bank (ADB). Matt is currently the Officer-in-Charge of ADB’s Pacific Liaison and Coordination Office (PLCO) in Sydney, Australia. PLCO is responsible for the client relationships with Nauru, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu; leads finance sector work across the Pacific; and is the primary point of contact for Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade when dealing with ADB. Matt’s area of technical expertise includes macroeconomic stability, fiscal policy, public financial management (PFM) reform, improving domestic resource mobilization, debt management, state-owned enterprise (SOE) reform, development of independent economic regulatory agencies, improving the business environment for private sector development, financial and capital market sector reform, and financial intermediation loans. Before that, Matt lived and worked in the Solomon Islands for 5 years as an economic reform advisor in the Ministry of Finance, focusing on economic and fiscal policy, improving the PFM system, liberalizing the telecommunications market, and SOE reforms. Matt also worked in the New Zealand public service as an analyst in the New Zealand Treasury. Matt has worked in Afghanistan, Armenia, Australia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Cook Islands, Fiji, Kyrgyz Republic, New Zealand, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Uzbekistan, and Vanuatu.

Matt has a Master of Management Studies majoring in Economics and a Bachelor of Management Studies majoring in Economics and Psychology. Both degrees are from the University of Waikato in New Zealand.

Rob Jauncey is the Chief Investment Officer for the Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific (AIFFP).  Since being established in mid-2019, AIFFP has now signed 12 projects in 9 countries valued at over A$1.2 billion.  Prior to joining AIFFP, Rob spent 20 years with the Asian Development Bank and World Bank, including as ADB’s Regional Director for the South Pacific (20014-2018) and as the World Bank’s Regional Coordinator for the Pacific (2009-2014).  In these roles, Rob was involved in mobilizing almost A$2 billion in new financing for the Pacific, including for major infrastructure projects such as the South Tarawa road in Kiribati, the Avatiu port in Cook Islands, ICT cables to Samoa and Tonga, airport runway construction and rehabilitation in several countries, and the construction of over 30 MW of renewable energy generation. 

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Rob Jauncey is the Chief Investment Officer for the Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific (AIFFP).  Since being established in mid-2019, AIFFP has now signed 10 projects in 8 countries valued at A$1 billion.  Prior to joining AIFFP, Rob spent 20 years with the Asian Development Bank and World Bank, including as ADB’s Regional Director for the South Pacific (20014-2018) and as the World Bank’s Regional Coordinator for the Pacific (2009-2014).  In these roles, Rob was involved in mobilizing almost A$2 billion in new financing for the region including for major infrastructure projects such as the South Tarawa road in Kiribati, the Avatiu port in Cook Islands, ICT cables to Samoa and Tonga, airport runway construction and rehabilitation in several countries, and the construction of over 30 MW of renewable energy generation. 

Mr Hilton is a senior career officer with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and was most recently Acting Deputy Secretary, Development and Multilateral Group.

He has previously served overseas as Deputy High Commissioner in New Delhi and Minister Counsellor in Port Moresby.

Mr Hilton holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) and a Bachelor of Laws from the Australian National University.

Multi-award winning entrepreneur, senior strategic People professional, consultant and business advisor with over twenty years of experience in international Human Resources Management (South Pacific, North America, Africa, Caribbean and Europe).

As well, Instructor Certifier for SSI and MSDT for PADI, with over fifteen years of management experience in the dive industry (South Pacific, North America, Africa, Caribbean and Europe).

Certified Business Advisor, coupled with a Canadian CHRP designation, a Masters Degree in Human Resources Management and an Honours Degree in Industrial Psychology.

Creator of YouTube #crucialcovidconversations content. Yoga teacher. PHD candidate. Power MBA Stu

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Belinda Botha, an SSI Instructor Trainer and PADI MSDT is owner operator of the multi-award winning Dive Munda in the Western Province of the Solomon Islands. Belinda also recently launched a second business, Solomon Islands Discovery Cruises, the latest unique boutique style small cruise ship offering operating throughout the Solomon Islands. Belinda also started up the business, Solomon Islands Dive Expeditions, now part of Solomons/PNG Masters fleet when she relocated to the Solomon Islands in 2013. Belinda is a Board member of the Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce and the Western Province Tourism Association.

Belinda has worked in and ran businesses across the South Pacific, North America, Africa, Caribbean, Europe and other developing countries, and has a Canadian CHRP designation, a Master’s Degree in Human Resources Management and an Honours Degree in Industrial Psychology. Currently embarking on a PHD project within the scuba diving industry, Belinda is passionate about developing people, female empowerment, youth employment, marine conservation and sustainable dive tourism.

CV Synopsis (both HR & Diving)

CAREER SUMMARY - DIVING

An Instructor Trainer for SSI and MSDT for PADI, with over ten years of experience in the tourism sector and dive industry (South Pacific, North America, Africa, Caribbean, Europe and other developing countries), with various specialities. Currently owner operator of flagship and multi award-winning dive operation in Munda, Solomon Islands. Passionate about marine conservation, sustainable tourism and the dive industry with dive shop ownership, dive liveaboard and resort management experience. This is coupled with a Canadian CHRP designation, a Masters Degree in Human Resources Management and an Honours Degree in Industrial Psychology. Currently embarking on a PHD project within the scuba diving industry in conjunction with SSI. In addition; First Aid Level 3 Instructor, React Right Instructor, DAN Oxygen Provider Instructor, PADI Emergency First Response Instructor, Basic Freediving Instructor and Reef Check Trainer.

CAREER SUMMARY - HR

A senior Human Resources Executive and successful Entrepreneur with over twenty years of experience in international Human Resources and Business Management encompassing project implementation and management, business consulting, managing culture and customs in developing communities, building partnerships, organizational development, performance, talent management, training and development in various industries (with the past 10 years within the tourism sector). In addition; an exceptional track record in stakeholder management (private and public sectors) with firmly established relationships with key stakeholders including SIVB, MoCT, tourism operators, travel wholesalers and agents, journalist, travel writers, media, SICCI, AHC, NZHC, WPTA, Solomon Airlines. Experience in resources consulting, with specialist training in employment and career coaching, administering and evaluating psychometric tests and vocational assessments. This is supported by a Canadian CHRP designation, a Masters Degree in Human Resources Management from North West University, South Africa and an Honours Degree in Industrial Psychology from the University of Pretoria, South Africa as well as a Certified Payroll Administrator Certificate. Currently embarking on a PHD project within the tourism sector/scuba diving industry. A seasoned award-winning, solution-driven and passionate professional, with the proven ability to translate theory into practice coupled with exceptional senior leadership, coordination, capacity building, relationship-forming, presentation, facilitation, decision-making, interpersonal and communication skills.

Dive Munda Success Story:

Recent stuff - 2018:

Personal and business intertwined – I was just featured in the August Woman’s edition of the leading Adventure Magazine NZ showcasing and celebrating women in adventure – their biggest issue on record – piece attached….

Also just nominated for the top 25 dive operations in the world as nominated by guests – leading Dive UK magazine – voting open now for winners announcement in November - http://divemagazine.co.uk/travel/8182-dive-travel-awards-2018-the-vote-is-open

We were nominated and approached and asked to put in application in for the WTM (supported by UNWTO) – World Responsible Tourism Award – London (Ww applied for the employment category – showcasing our employment practices (60% female employment, training of woman and youth, trained the first 2 female local dive instructors in the history of the country (as well as the first 4 female local divemaster’s and first female local Assistant Instructor - http://responsibletourism.wtm.com/about/responsible-tourism-awards/

New product launched – SIDC product business – press release attached….

Mr Sivoro has been a career civil servant in the Public Service of Solomon Islands for the past 21 years. Of these, 8 years as Deputy Director of Tourism and 13 years as Director of the Tourism until his appointment as the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry and Tourism in mid-2022.

With the wealth of experience and knowledge accumulated over his years of involvement in the tourism sector, Mr Sivoro has an intimate knowledge of the industry and is committed to lead the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and enhance the sectors contribution to the socio-economic growth and development of the country.

Hailing from Choiseul Province in the north-west of the Solomon Islands, Dagnal Dereveke has helmed the Solomon Islands National Tourist Office since October 2021 in the dual role of Acting CEO and Head of Corporate Services.
Initially tasked with steering his team through the challenges presented by COVID-19 and other domestic issues having the potential to damage the Solomon Is. brand profile, a hallmark of Mr Dereveke’s leadership has been the drive and passion required to see the Solomon Islands reinstated positively on the world tourism stage post-COVID.
Joining Tourism Solomons in 2018 as the Head of Corporate Services, Mr Dereveke has considerable Government, Commercial, and Academic experience. He holds a BA with double major in Accounting & Finance from the University of the South Pacific, a PGDip in Financial Economics from Massey
University, and has attended the Executive Development Institute of Tourism at the University of Hawaii.

Namoi is a passionate entrepreneur and a leader in the Solomon Islands business community. She has a wealth of experience in business development, digital marketing and advertising. She has worked with a wide range of clients, from local businesses to international corporations. Namoi has been a part of the Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce for a few years and was recently elected Vice Chairlady. As part of her role, she is involved in the Building/Construction and Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) working groups.

Namoi is the co-founder of Adkonect, a local advertising agency operating for more than 10 years in the Solomon Islands. Her company’s online platform PacificTenders.com was the recipient of the 2017 Business Excellence Award. Pacific Tenders is an online platform for project opportunities and updates in the Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea. 

Namoi is passionate about helping local businesses succeed and promoting the Solomon Islands as a great place to do business. She is an advocate for SME's, equal representation especially local content and is working to create more business opportunities in Solomon Islands. 

Lottie Vaisekavea is the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture & Livestock in Solomon Islands. He has a Masters in Agriculture Science. He is a keen farmer and community development specialist. He has worked in agriculture and rural development in various capacities over the last three decades. He is keen to lead and build in partnership, a deliberate choice for agriculture and eliminate the persistent unstable production and procure new cascades.

He looks at agriculture from a new angle. A re-valuing of the human component as the common denominator and pivot point for new functionality. A new perception, mindset and corporate capacity. A new starting point, motivation and synergy to birth and sustain a transformation - A seed to tree design.

He is a strong advocate for individual development, leadership and youth empowerment as the catalyst for a corporate ecosystem, synergy and transformation.

Transformation is equalization! It requires invalidation and removal of former assumptions, perceptions and margins. It requires a new eye. Agriculture must make sense. It must make sense to every farmer, family and young couple, to every community and every enterprise who proposes a better future. When equalization is naturalized participation is normalized.

Rick is a senior project manager with more than 20 years’ experience. His current role with Johnstaff International Development, is leading the Bina Harbour Project Office. This ambitious and exciting endeavour, located on a greenfield site in Solomon Islands, is required to design and deliver a new precinct for onshore tuna processing inclusive of supporting infrastructure. Prior to Bina Harbour, Rick has been involved with PNG health projects, the redevelopment of the ANGAU Hospital in Lae and procuring specialist medical equipment for the Highlands.

Rick has a long history of working in client-side project management on behalf of Australian State and Federal Government Departments delivering infrastructure and procurement outcomes in the Defence, Education, Health, and Foreign Affairs sectors. Prior to entering private industry, Rick was a career Australian Army Officer serving in engineering, training and major capital equipment appointments. Rick has completed Batchelor and post graduate level studies in management.

Born and raised in the Solomon Islands, Bob Pollard, the Managing Director of Pasifik HR and Kokonut Pacific Solomon Islands (KPSI) is passionate about helping people fulfil their potential. With a background in business teaching and consultancy, Bob formed Pasifiki Service Ltd, trading as Pasifiki HR in 1998, and took on the challenge of becoming one of the owners of KPSI and managing KPSI in 2010. As a long-term resident of Solomon Islands Bob has extensive experience in engaging with the challenges that Solomon Islands faces as a developing nation, both social and economic.

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Bob Pollard started his career as a teacher in the Solomon Islands and co-founded Pasifiki HR in 1998. His qualifications are in economics, accounting, education and theology. After 9 years in education Bob transitioned to business. Twenty one years in commerce in the Solomon Islands has given him a good understanding of the Solomon Islands business environment. He is currently the Managing Director for both Pasifiki HR and Kokonut Pacific Solomon Islands. Bob is a founding member of Transparency Solomon Islands, an anti-corruption NGO. His passion is to see young people fulfil their potential.

Erik has been practising in PNG since 1990 and is regarded as being amongst the most experienced and well-respected dispute resolution lawyers in PNG. He is consistently recognised by leading legal directories, including Chambers Asia Pacific, as a Band 1 practitioner in PNG.

Erik has acted in significant regional litigation, including International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) matters.  He has also advised on numerous inbound investment arbitrations in the Pacific, in industries including forestry and infrastructure.  Erik has also acted for numerous government bodies in relation to their powers and functions.

Erik has further advised clients in inbound Pacific investment by large multinationals, including Santos, Total Energies and Puma Energy.  He has acted on significant projects in the oil and gas sectors, including upstream, midstream and downstream petroleum. 

Erik has a particular expertise in responding to landowner claims for benefits, and structuring benefits for landowners in all generations of mining and petroleum project structures.

Geoff has extensive experience in engineering, project management and mining finance. Prior to his appointment to Pacific Nickel, Geoff worked for Finders Resources where he was closely involved in the development of the company’s Wetar Island copper project in Indonesia. He was previously an executive director of Tennant Metals Pty Ltd (a metals trading company) and prior to that an executive director of RFC Group (now RFC Ambrian). In the last three years he has been appointed an executive director of Pacific Nickel, a founding non-executive director of Southern Palladium Limited (ASX and JSE Listed - IPO in June 2022) and a non-executive director of Austpac Resources Limited (ASX Listed).

Krista Jacob-Tatapu is the Director of Mines, a Division within the Ministry of Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification. This is the first time that a female has held the position of the Director of Mines and in this capacity she is promoting women in leadership and decision making.  

Having worked in the Mines Division for 17 years, Krista has seen transformations in the Mining Industry of the country. Her aspiration for the mining sector in the Solomon Islands is to see the mining industry appropriately managed and regulated to reflect best practice in international mining standards.

Krista holds a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science (Chemistry) from the University of the South Pacific, a Master of Environmental Management in the field of Environmental Management in Mining (2015) and a Master of Philosophy (2017), both latter degrees from The University of Queensland. She had also published an academic journal in 2020, as part of her higher research degree, on the elevated arsenic concentrations in the Tailings Storage Facility (TSF) surface waters at the Gold Ridge Mine, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands.