23 June 2015
Australia assists Solomon Islands Women in Business Association attend Women in Business Expo in PNG.
Members of the Solomon Islands Women in Business Association (SIWIBA) will attend the ‘Women in Business Expo’ in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea on 2-12 July 2015. Yesterday Sue Connell, Minister Counsellor from the Australian High Commission handed over a cheque to SIWIBA, to help the association attend the Expo.
The Expo is an initiative of the PNG Women in Business Foundation, and intends to raise the profile of Pacific women entrepreneurs in the small to medium enterprise sector during the 2015 Pacific Games.
An eight member group led by SIWIBA Centre Coordinator Ms Nina Tuhaika will represent SIWIBA at the PNG Expo. The group will be taking with them a selection of art work and products made by members from all nine provinces in the country.
“Attending the Women’s Business Expo will be an opportunity for SIWIBA members and officials to collaborate and network with the PNG Women in Business Foundation” said Ms Tuhaika.
“It will also help link with other businesses from around the Pacific and foster long term partnerships.”
“The Expo will provide an opportunity for SIWIBA to promote the Solomon Islands as a tourist destination and highlight the unique and diverse culture of the country through its products at the SIWIBA stall.”
In October 2014, Australia announced three years of financial support of SBD $3.3million to the Solomon Islands Women in Business Association. The funding supported the establishment of the Business Development Centre with a dedicated training coordinator, SIWIBA’s savings club, newsletters and awards night to recognise and reward the economic achievements of women and the continuation of the Mere’s market.
“The vision of SIWIBA is that women will be empowered- that their businesses will give them a sense of pride and an opportunity to contribute to the long term growth and prosperity of the Solomon Islands” said Minister Counsellor Sue Connell.
