BY PHILIP LILOMO Media & Communications SICCI ONE of the key objectives of the Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SICCI) is to build and improve the capacity and ability of local businesses to achieve their full potential in business, and therefore in contributing to growing the economy. To achieve this, the Chamber works with Government partners, interest groups and organizations both national and regionally to work through challenges local businesses face. One such partnership SICCI has utilized is with the Pacific Trade Invest (PTI) New Zealand. Over the past three (3) years SICCI has been facilitating the participation of locally owned businesses in the PTI New Zealand annual ‘Path to Market’ programme which is a multi-stage activity also known as the Pacific Path to Market business capability building programme. One part of the activity is where New Zealand businesses are brought into direct contact with Pacific businesses and their products,

BY GEORGINA KEKEA       The Solomon Islands National Provident Fund (SINPF) is considering investing in another partnership with Nasfund and Lamana through Loloata Island Resort Ltd in Papua New Guinea. With the success of the Heritage Hotel partnership (Nasfund 60 percent, Lamana 20 percent and SINPF 20 percent), the SINPF Board has positively considered this partnership.       A statement from SINPF says the board will buy 15 percent shares for K12 million (about SBD30 million). The partnership will be as follows after the SINPF purchase. Nasfund 50 percent, Lamana 35 percent and SINPF 15 percent.             The SINPF is buying into the partnership when the facility is almost complete without having to wait out the risky construction phase of the new investment with strong business prospects from both local and international customers.  Funds for the acquisition will be from cash dividends earned from our investment in Bank South Pacific Ltd placed with Banks in Po