PRIME Minister Manasseh Sogavare has commended the private sector for their perseverance and hard work in running their businesses.
He was speaking yesterday during the launch of the newly upgraded facility of Didao Refueling Station, at Kukum, east Honiara.
“I take this opportunity to congratulate and commend Solomon Islanders who are useful in doing business throughout the country; very often in environment that are full of challenges and very little assistance from the government,” Mr Sogavare said.
“That is a commendable attitude that is expected of every corporate citizen of our country. The government is counting on all of you to progress our country,” he added.
He said that the challenge the government is facing is getting more Solomon Islanders to be self employed.
“Our challenge is to get more Solomon Islanders to be interested in self employment.
“This is a responsibility that all capable Solomon Islanders and Solomon Islands based institutions must take on in the best interest of seeing our country progressing.
“Those who are successful must be willing to help potential Solomon Islands entrepreneurs to be proficient in the art of doing business.”
“The government has the role to play in our effort to create more risk takers in our economy.
“We were yet to strike the right policy mix in our national endeavor to encourage entrepreneurship in Solomon Islands; both for domestic and foreign risk takers.
“This is something that we must improve on but we must be strategic in our approach. Ideally we must be guided by deliberate policy choice to encourage the development of specific sectors to be realistic.”
By CHARLEY PIRINGI
