7:30 AM |
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BSP Registration Desk Open
2.5 hours
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7:45 AM |
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HALL CONTRACTING Arrival Refreshments
45 mins
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8:30 AM |
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SESSION ONE
MC: Ms Amanda Korinihona, Membership Officer, Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
WELCOME TO DELEGATES:
Ms Namoi Kaluae, Chairman, Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Mr Simon Gorman, President, Australia Solomon Islands Business Council.
AUSTRALIAN AND SOLOMON ISLANDS GOVERNMENT KEYNOTE ADDRESSES:
The Hon Jeremiah Manele, Prime Minister of Solomon Islands
Mr Justin Mohamed, Ambassador for First Nations People, Government of Australia.
Mr Simon Gorman
Simon is the Managing Director of the Reeves Envico Group and the current President of the... More
Mr Simon Gorman
Simon is the Managing Director of the Reeves Envico Group and the current President of the Australia Pacific Islands Business Council. He is one of the founders of CCB Envico, an established specialist water and environmental construction company which carries out complex projects throughout both Australia and the Asia Pacific. Its sister company, Reeves International, specialises in infrastructure projects in challenging and remote locations, where operating conditions may include a developing construction sector.
Simon previously worked overseas with the International Rescue Committee (IRC) in conflict zones, providing access to clean water and sanitation. He has extensive experience in international disaster settings and complex emergencies, as well as traditional large-scale infrastructure projects. His work has included leading projects in the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Fiji, Kiribati, the Marshall Islands, Tonga, Samoa, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, the Federated States of Micronesia, Hong Kong, Rwanda, Somalia, and Sri Lanka.
Ms Namoi Kaluae
Namoi Kaluae is an esteemed professional serving as the Chairlady of Solomon Islands, with a... More
Ms Namoi Kaluae
Namoi Kaluae is an esteemed professional serving as the Chairlady of Solomon Islands, with a strong commitment to fostering economic growth, sustainable development, and mutually beneficial partnerships within the Pacific region. With a deep understanding of the business landscape in the Solomon Islands, Namoi plays a pivotal role in driving innovation, entrepreneurship, and collaboration in the local business community.
As a notable individual in the Solomon Islands, Namoi Kaluae embodies visionary leadership and strategic thinking, aiming to facilitate meaningful dialogue, exchange of ideas, and cooperative initiatives between Australia and the Solomon Islands. With a focus on promoting trade, investment, and economic resilience, Namoi's expertise and dedication contribute significantly to advancing regional cooperation and prosperity.
Under Namoi Kaluae's guidance, the Solomon Islands chamber of commerce are poised to showcase their unique opportunities, potential, and talent to the esteemed delegates of the upcoming Australia Pacific Business Forum. Through her inclusive leadership style and pragmatic approach, Namoi is committed to creating a conducive environment for fostering sustainable business relationships, driving growth, and unlocking economic potential of the Solomon Islands.
Mr Justin Mohamed
Mr Justin Mohamed is Australia’s inaugural Ambassador for First Nations People. He is a... More
Mr Justin Mohamed
Mr Justin Mohamed is Australia’s inaugural Ambassador for First Nations People. He is a Gooreng Gooreng man from Bundaberg in Queensland.
Mr Mohamed has a strong connection to community having worked for decades in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations, as well as in the government and corporate sectors, on issues spanning health, social justice and reconciliation.
Mr Mohamed was most recently Deputy Secretary of Aboriginal Justice in the Victorian Government. He has also held the positions of Chief Executive Officer for Reconciliation Australia and Chairperson of the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation, and he has represented Indigenous organisations internationally including at the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues.
Mr Mohamed is married to Narrunga Kaurna woman Dr Janine Mohamed, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, First Nations at the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA). He has five children.
Mr Mohamed holds an Advanced Diploma of Business Management from the University of Ballarat.
Ms Amanda Korinihona
Amanda Korinihona, MSA, MBA is a retired tennis athlete. Her tennis career began in Honiara... More
Ms Amanda Korinihona
Amanda Korinihona, MSA, MBA is a retired tennis athlete. Her tennis career began in Honiara before going on scholarships abroad for 15 years. During her years overseas, she completed her academic studies at Henderson State University, in state of Arkansas, USA. She obtained a Bachelor’s degree majoring in Political Science and Criminal Justice, and both of her master’s degrees. She is currently employed at the Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce & Industry as their membership & services officer. Despite having a strong background in sports, Amanda aspires to be a transformational leader with her aims to encourage, inspire and influence audiences from every walk of life.
1 hour
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9:30 AM |
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10:10 AM |
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SESSION TWO
SOLOMON ISLANDS GOVERNMENT BUDGET AND FISCAL OVERVIEW.
The Hon Manasseh Sogavare MP, Minister for Finance and Treasury.
SOLOMON ISLANDS ECONOMY.
Mr Raynold Moveni, Deputy Governor, Central Bank of Solomon Islands.
Mr Lodewijk Smets, Senior Economist Solomon Islands and Vanuatu, World Bank Group.
ATTRACTING INVESTMENT OF GROWTH.
Solomon Islands Government Investment Policy: Hon Harry Kuma MP, Minister for Commerce, Industries, Labour and Immigration.
Improving the Investor Experience: Mr Wayne Morris, Partner, Morris and Sojnocki:
Hon Harry Kuma
Hon Harry Kuma holds a bachelor degree in Economics, and a Masters of Business Administration.... More
Hon Harry Kuma
Hon Harry Kuma holds a bachelor degree in Economics, and a Masters of Business Administration. He served 28 years as public servant. As public servant Hon Kuma worked in various Ministries including in the then Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning, Ministry of Provincial Government and Rural Development, Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet and the Ministry of Finance and Treasury. For two and half years between 2007 to 2009 Hon Kuma was seconded as Executive Directors Advisor to the Asia Development Bank in Manila, Philippines.
As public servant working in different Ministries, Hon Harry Kuma was involved and experienced in project management, rural development planning, budgeting and fiscal policy, economic reforms and management, Corporate and human resource management, public policy and private sector development and development financing.
Hon Kuma became an MP in 2019 and served as the Minister of Finance and Treasury in the DCGA government. In the 2024 NGE Hon Kuma was re-elected and now serve as the Minister of MCILI.
Mr Lodewijk Smets
Lodewijk Smets is a Senior Economist at the World Bank working on Solomon Islands and Vanuatu.... More
Mr Lodewijk Smets
Lodewijk Smets is a Senior Economist at the World Bank working on Solomon Islands and Vanuatu. In this role, he is responsible for macroeconomic monitoring, policy dialogue on macro-fiscal matters and the provision of budget support. Over the years, Lodewijk developed a deep interest in how donors can support policy reform for growth and private sector development and published several papers on the topic. Before joining the World Bank, Lodewijk was employed at the Inter-American Development Bank as a Senior Economist, and prior to this, at the World Bank’s Independent Evaluation Group. Lodewijk holds a PhD in Economics from the University of Antwerp, Belgium, and was a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at KU Leuven, Belgium.
Hon Manasseh Sogavare
Hon Manasseh Damukana Sogavare, Minister of Finance and Treasury of Solomon Islands.
Hon... More
Hon Manasseh Sogavare
Hon Manasseh Damukana Sogavare, Minister of Finance and Treasury of Solomon Islands.
Hon Sogavare is the current Minister of the Finance and Treasury of Solomon Islands. Prior to his appointment as the Minister of Finance and Treasury, Hon. Sogavare was the elected Prime Minister of Solomon Islands for the fourth time on 24 April 2019, following the national general election on 3rd April 2019. Hon. Sogavare first held the Prime Ministerial post from June 2000 to December 2001, then again from April 2006 to December 2007, and prior to this election from November 2014 to November 2017.
He has a bachelor’s degree in accounting and Economics from the University of the South Pacific (USP) and a Masters’ Degree in Management Studies from the University of Waikato in New Zealand.
Mr Raynold Moveni
Raynold Micah Moveni is Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Solomon Islands (CBSI). Prior to... More
Mr Raynold Moveni
Raynold Micah Moveni is Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Solomon Islands (CBSI). Prior to assuming this position, he was chief manager of Financial Systems Regulation Department and before this was an Assistant Manager of Financial Institutions Department and prior to this a senior monetary and external sector analyst of Economics Department within CBSI. Altogether, he has 25 years of central banking experience. Apart from CBSI, Mr. Moveni had also worked as Advisor to Executive Director in the OED Office of the International Monetary Fund in Washington DC. In 2016, he was appointed by the Solomon Islands Government as one of the commissioners to the Commission of Inquiry into Solomon Islands Ports Authority reform programs. He is an alumnus of the University of Sydney and the University of the South Pacific as well as a certified Balanced Scorecard Professional and a member of the Econometrics Society.
Mr Wayne Morris
Senior Partner of Morris & Sojnocki Chartered Accounts, previous to transferring to Solomon... More
Mr Wayne Morris
Senior Partner of Morris & Sojnocki Chartered Accounts, previous to transferring to Solomon Islands in 1988 with PricewaterhouseCoopers worked in Australia and London firms’ Was a member of the Business Law Reform Committee overseeing changes to Companies Act, Foreign Investment and other changes. Fellow of Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia and CPA Australia, member of Institute of Chartered Secretaires and Institute of Solomon Islands Accountants. Member of Rotary Club of Honiara and was awarded an OBE by Solomon Islands Government for service to business, community and charity.
1.83 hours
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12:00 PM |
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1:00 PM |
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SESSION THREE
PACER PLUS: AN UPDATE:
Mr Roy Lagolago, Director, Pacer Plus Implementation Unit.
Mr Burns Waroka, Senior Trade Officer, Solomon Islands Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Mr Daniel Tucker, Country Manager SI, Kramer Ausenco: A Business Perspective on PACER Plus effectiveness so far.
SUPPORTING BUSINESS AND INVESTMENT:
Mr Adrian Weeks, Australian Trade Commission to Solomon Islands. (Austrade)
Mr Joshua Kaile, Senior Business Development Manager, Trade and Investment Queensland. (TIQ)
Mr Adrian Weeks
Adrian is the Senior Trade Commissioner for the Australian Trade & Investment Commission,... More
Mr Adrian Weeks
Adrian is the Senior Trade Commissioner for the Australian Trade & Investment Commission, better known as Austrade.
He is responsible for assisting Australian companies to do business in the Solomon Islands. He does this together with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade team at the Australian High Commission.
Companies approach Austrade seeking advice about the market, potential business partners, key contacts, referral to service providers or gaining information to assist with a market issues.
As the Trade Commission Adrian employs a range of strategies for to keep business informed about the market. This includes a monthly newsletter, use of social media, webinars and relationship building. Adrian has worked in the Pacific region since 2014.
More than 700 Australian companies partner with companies in the Solomon Islands to deliver a range of projects, products and services in many sectors. This may include building and construction, IT services, food and beverage, office services or education.
When he is not the Trade Commissioner Adrian spends his time as a referee for basketball helping officials to understand their role and the importance of officials for the sport.
Mr Daniel Tucker
Daniel Tucker is currently the Vice Chairman of Solomon Islands Chamber Commerce and Industry... More
Mr Daniel Tucker
Daniel Tucker is currently the Vice Chairman of Solomon Islands Chamber Commerce and Industry (SICCI) Board (2024 – 2025) and has held the position of a Board member in two (2) previous terms between 2020 – 2022. He is currently a Member for the ‘Building and Construction Industry Working Group (BCIWG)’ a subcommittee of SICCI.
Daniel Tucker is employed by Kramer Ausenco (SI) Ltd as the Country Manager – The largest engineering and project management firm founded in PNG with regional coverage across the Pacific and established operations in the Solomon Islands for over 45 years.
He has almost 15 years’ experience in Engineering and Project Management in a wide range of infrastructure projects in the Solomon Islands, PNG and the Pacific.
Daniel’s business focus has been reinforcing core strengths in quality engineering and project management, whilst improving standards and developing the capabilities of national professionals/experts on local and international projects.
Daniel holds the qualifications of Bachelor of Engineering (Civil) (PNGUOT).
Mr Joshua Kaile
Joshua is the Senior Business Development Manager for Trade and Investment Queensland (TIQ)... More
Mr Joshua Kaile
Joshua is the Senior Business Development Manager for Trade and Investment Queensland (TIQ) based in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea (PNG).
He is responsible for supporting Queensland companies connect with business opportunities and local partnerships in PNG and Solomon Islands. Joshua was appointed to this role in September 2023 as part of Queensland’s Pacific strategy to unlock and grow economic partnerships and engagements to improve economies and lifestyles and build resilience across the region.
With 10 years of experience in international development, economic governance and project management having worked for JICA and DFAT in PNG, Joshua is passionate about connecting trade and investment with development as key drivers for sustainable economic growth.
Joshua holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and Linguistics from the University of PNG and postgraduate master’s degree in international law and sustainable development from the University of Strathclyde, United Kingdom.
Mr Roy Lagolago
Roy Lagolago is the Head of Secretariat for the PACER Plus Implementation Unit and Labour... More
Mr Roy Lagolago
Roy Lagolago is the Head of Secretariat for the PACER Plus Implementation Unit and Labour Mobility based in Samoa and has spent over 10 years working in the Pacific region. Roy has a background in law enforcement, security, intelligence, investigations, and trade and has spent over 20 years in the New Zealand Public Service. He was previously the Head of Secretariat for the Oceania Customs Organisation and the Senior Secretariat Manager at the Public Service Fale, a regional organisation for Public Service Commissioners in the Pacific.
He was also the Head of International for the New Zealand Customs Service managing the international portfolios for Asia, America's, Australia, Europe, and the Pacific as well as managing the Border 5 and APEC Secretariats.
Roy holds a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology and Sociology and a Master’s in Public Management from Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand.
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Roy Lagolago is a Samoan-New Zealand National appointed to guide the implementation of the region’s most comprehensive trade and investment agreement. Roy was born and raised in Samoa, and from the villages of Fagalii, Fasitoo Uta and Sapapalii. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology and Sociology as well as a Masters in Public Management from Victoria university in Wellington. Roy started a public service career in 2002 with the New Zealand Customs Service and has been privileged to spend much of that career to serve and protect Pacific communities. Mr Lagolago has extensive experience in supporting trade facilitation in the Pacific and took up the role of PACER Plus Implementation Unit Head in July this year.
1.83 hours
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2:50 PM |
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PACIFIC ISLANDS INTERNATIONAL Afternoon Tea
30 mins
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3:20 PM |
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SESSION FOUR
MANAGING FREIGHT AND LOGISTIC ISSUES FOR IMPORTS AND EXPORTS:
Mr Peter Francis, General Manager, TradCo Shipping Limited, Solomon Islands.
Mr Andrew Botha, Chief Financial Officer, Bulk Shop Solomon Islands.
Mr James Kana, Managing Director, Ueniusu'unu Agribusiness Group.
Mr Peter Hughes, Comptroller of Customs and Excise, Solomon Islands Customs and Excise.
EXPORTING SOLOMON ISLANDS LABOUR TO AUSTRALIA:
Ms Esther Zorivo, Senior Information Officer, Solomon Islands Department of Foreign Affairs and External Trade.
Mr Bob Pollard, Managing Director, & Ms Sharon Naesol, Program Manager, Pasifiki HR.
Dr Ryan Edwards, Deputy Director, Development Policy Centre, Australian National University.
Mr Bob Pollard
Bob Pollard is currently the Managing Director for both Pasifiki HR and Kokonut Pacific Solomon... More
Mr Bob Pollard
Bob Pollard is currently the Managing Director for both Pasifiki HR and Kokonut Pacific Solomon Islands Ltd. He started his career in teaching in the Solomon Islands and co-founded Pasifiki HR in 1998 and in 2010 took Kokonut Pacific, an agricultural manufacturing and export business. His qualifications are in economics, accounting, education and theology. Twenty-six years in commerce in the Solomon Islands has given him a good understanding of the Solomon Islands business environment. Bob is a founding member of Transparency Solomon Islands, an anti-corruption NGO, active in a church community, a Solomon Airline’s and Central Bank Director. His passion is to see young people fulfil their potential and improve village livelihoods.
Ms Esther Zorivo
Ms. Esther Maeniti Zorivo currently serves as the Senior Information Officer at the Labour... More
Ms Esther Zorivo
Ms. Esther Maeniti Zorivo currently serves as the Senior Information Officer at the Labour Mobility Unit within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade. She has held this position since August 2019.
Ms. Zorivo holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree, with a major in Official Statistics and Management Public Administration.
Mr James Kana
Managing Director - He started a small medium agribusiness company, Ueniusuunu Agribusiness... More
Mr James Kana
Managing Director - He started a small medium agribusiness company, Ueniusuunu Agribusiness Group, in 2017 - for the purpose of identifying market-ready agro-products, mainly premium sun-dried cocoa beans and connecting them to local and overseas markets. This includes training support and value-adding initiatives for cocoa farmers within remote Solomon Islands with its geographical challenges. With a vision of a commercially viable Hub, he aimed to have sustainable and environmentally friendly use of resources, generating income for quality standards of living and prosperity for farmers and farming communities in Small Malaita and across Solomon Islands.
Currently the Chair – Cocoa Industry Working Group, Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce Industries. He led the Committee that represents the cocoa industry in Solomon Islands, including the government, private export and trading businesses, farmers, and other relevant stakeholders. The advisory group deal with all matters related to cocoa subsector – market access, challenges, opportunities, threats, influence policies that will impact the industry for the good of all members, advocating for common interest, and driving growth enabling a robust national economy.
A passionate innovator and an advocate for inclusive development in the private sector. Among the initiatives undertaken, he led a trialled aggregating system, LCL (1.0) in 2021, a digital product for premium cacao supply chain actors that enabled them to coordinate and share freight space, record, and exchange important supply chain information. This will be replicated in premium agriculture and other high-value sectors such as agroforestry and seafood in its scaled-up iteration.
He previously served in the board as a vice chair and member of Young Entrepreneurs Council Solomon Islands (YECSI), that represents entrepreneurs in the formal and informal sectors through membership.
Graduated with a bachelor’s degree in commerce, in economics and banking from the University of the South Pacific, Fiji Islands, in 2010. Prior to becoming an entrepreneur, his career took him across banking, public sector finance, program and project management roles both in the Pacific and in Solomon Islands.
Mr Peter Hughes
Peter Hughes – Comptroller of Customs and Excise.
Peter is a career Customs Officer... More
Mr Peter Hughes
Peter Hughes – Comptroller of Customs and Excise.
Peter is a career Customs Officer having worked in Australia and the Pacific region for over 37 years. Peter has enjoyed deployments in PNG Customs 2009-2012 and Solomon Islands Customs and Excise 2014-2018 as Deputy Comptroller. Peter is married to Lalen a proud Western Province woman from Vella Lavella. He has two adult children who live in Australia and two younger Solomon born boys Edward and Jake who live in Honiara and attend Woodford School.
Peter has Masters qualifications in International Custom Law and is passionate about modernisation and capacity development in the Pacific Region. With a strong family connection to Solomon Islands he is particularly focussed on assisting development to ensure a more prosperous nation with increased standards of living for all Solomon Islanders.
Having been involved in the initial rollout of ASYCUDA in Solomons, Peter is focussed on the upcoming ASYCUDA upgrade as well as legislation review and SOP rewrite projects. The Customs Reform and Modernisation plans activities and upgrades over a five-year period and is the basis for all planning within Customs.
Dr Ryan Edwards
Dr. Ryan Edwards is the Deputy Director of the Development Policy Centre at the Crawford School... More
Dr Ryan Edwards
Dr. Ryan Edwards is the Deputy Director of the Development Policy Centre at the Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University. His research lies at the intersection of development economics, labour economics, international trade, and the environment. He is the organisational lead and the thematic lead for migration research of the Australian Government’s Pacific Research Program, and a principal investigator of the Pacific Labour Mobility Survey, the Small Firm Diaries Fiji, and the Remittance Diaries, among other projects. Ryan joined the ANU in 2019 from academic appointments at Dartmouth College and Stanford University in the United States, and worked in the Australian Government, development, and finance before that.
Ms Sharon Naesol
Sharon Naesol is the Program Manager under the Solomon Islands support services project (SISSP)... More
Ms Sharon Naesol
Sharon Naesol is the Program Manager under the Solomon Islands support services project (SISSP) since 2022. A hard-working person who loves being part of a great team and see people succeed in their personal and professional journey. Outside of work, she loves to travel and spend quality time with her family.
2.08 hours
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6:00 PM |
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7:30 PM |
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