Members of the Solomon Islands Women in Business Association (SIWIBA) have acknowledged the association for its support in providing an avenue where they can venture into small business enterprises.
This came after the association marked its 10th anniversary this week.
A member Grace Rani, from Vella La Vella in Western province who became a member in 2013 acknowledged SIWIBA for creating an opportunity for her to participate in economic activities.
She said, the association offered an opportunity for local women to participate in business activities at all levels particularly on small medium enterprises.
She said, what SIWIBA has done for women in the past ten years has promoted her to resign from her job.
Mrs Rani was a former medical record manager at the National Referral Hospital and decided to resign after seeing the potential to become self reliant by building network with other women through SIWIBA.
She said, through SIWIBA she now became financial literacy workshop facilitator, self reliant and recognise partners in the country and in the pacific.
She said, it also helps her to make unique products such as local shell Jewry, necklace, ear rings and table decorations.
She said her next mission is to venture into tourism.
The uniqueness of her products have motivated her to expand into tourism, she added.
“Our country has rich culture and unique products that are useful and attractive for tourism,” she said.
Another member Anne Maedia from Kho’urea in Isabel province also congratulated SIWIBA in its 10th anniversary and wish to acknowledge the association.
She said, being a member of the association has benefited her in many ways.
“The association helps me to generate income, build her network into broader business partner and venture into small business enterprises.”
She said one of the examples of her broader business partner was she was able to provide floral for Westpac bank and she can be directly contacted from her business partners in other parts of the country.
The celebration was supposed to be staged yesterday until January 30th but it was now postponed for February due to bad weather.
SIWIBA was established in 2005 and currently has 50 members.
There are over 100 women entrepreneurs in Honiara who have been operating businesses for some years now.
By CHARLES KADAMANA
