HONIARA, Solomon Islands – The Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SICCI) support the landmark national campaign to improve electricity services across the country.

Representing the voice of the private sector, SICCI participated in the inaugural panel discussion hosted by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Ministry of Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification (MMERE).

The panel, titled “Pathways towards better electric power availability, affordability, and sustainability,” was held at the Heritage Park Hotel on Friday, November 14, 2025.

SICCI’s representation was led by Qila Tuhanuku, Chairlady of the Manufacturing Working Group, and Daniel Tucker, Chairman of the Building Construction Industry Working Group.

As the peak body representing the interests of private sector enterprises, from small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) to large corporations, SICCI strongly endorses this initiative. The Chamber views reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy as a critical enabler for national development and economic growth.

SICCI views access to stable electricity as not just a utility issue but is a fundamental business issue for our manufacturers to compete, for our construction industry to thrive, and for every SME to grow, consistent power is non-negotiable. We are pleased to bring the private sector's perspective to this critical national conversation and commend UNDP and MMERE for launching this collaborative campaign.

SICCI Board Chairlady Namoi Kaluae highlighted the direct economic benefits, citing a recent Pacific-wide analysis. “A recent Pacific-wide analysis by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) found that reducing electricity costs in the region by just 10% could boost GDP by up to 1.5%. For the Solomon Islands, achieving cheaper and more reliable power is not an infrastructure project; it is a direct investment in our national economic competitiveness. We believe the potential for our economy could be even greater, unlocking millions in new investment and creating thousands of jobs.”

SICCI’s involvement through our specialized working groups meanwhile ensures that the unique challenges and needs of key industries are heard.  The Chamber is committed to working with all stakeholders to translate these discussions into actionable solutions that will power Solomon Islands' prosperity.