THE Solomon Islands Small Business Enterprise Centre (SISBEC) has finally opened its doors on Thursday in Munda, Western province.
A ceremony to declare the official opening of the organisation was attended by numerous individuals including the Deputy Premier and Permanent Secretary of the Western Province,as well as church and community leaders.
In his speech at the program, Deputy Premier Chris Mesepitu said that this was a step forward for the people in having the accessibility to such training centres to advance business understanding and raise standards in locally owned businesses.
Mr Mesepitu congratulated and thanked the board of SISBEC for it foresight and wisdom, giving his assurance that the Western Provincial Government is keen to participate and support this initiative.
Mesepitu shared his well wishes to those who would take advantage of the opportunity in the coming future, bidding them well in their endeavours saying that the province looks forward to their participation.
The Manager of SISBEC Mr Ben Nginabule thank all who had taken the time to attend the opening of SISBEC in Munda and said that their attendance was assuring of the common interest shared between them for the advancement of young business minds in the Western province.
Nginabule spoke of his visit to the province last September and the opportunity he had to speak with people and come to understand the difficulties experienced by passionate business operators.
Through the process, he said he also faced areas of which he required assistance to overcome and progress in his business.
“I have learnt that the difficulties faced by business operators here in the West are the same as the difficulties we have long learnt to be true in Honiara as well,” said Nginabule.
He said that with what he had discovered and knowing that they had the capacity to make available the service and trainings to help better the knowledge and understanding of business to the public, it was clear that a centre was needed to be established here in the West.
“The Western province is unique in its own way, having newly built international runway, Distant Flexible Learning (DFL) facilities and the soon to arrive Fibre Optic Cable are powerful factors that inspire and enhance the way we gain opportunities,” Nginabule explained.
The manager of SISBEC said that with this they recognised that they had a part to play and provide a service that would assist in the progress business opportunities for the people and in turn the development of their province and the country.
“Like any business SISBEC has decided to take a calculated risk in order to move closer to where there is an apparent need for such training services.”
“Only time will tell if our speculation may prove itself true, and we would most definitely like to see the public and existing business operators take advantage of what we have to offer.”
Mr Nginabule acknowledged the presence of the Deputy Premier and Permanent Secretary and said he looks forward to forging a strong partnership in the future.
Jeffery Wickham in his speech said that he was happy and proud to see SISBEC still strong and well after 21 years since its birth having been a part of its initiation with the Ministry of Commerce.
He was even more so to be present to witness the opening of its doors to his people in the Western province.
With his great confidence in the training services offered by SISBEC, Mr Wickham encouraged the public to take full advantage of the opportunity brought directly to them.
The Solomon Islands Small Business Enterprise Centre has trained over 15,000 participants since it was formed in 1998.
By TERENCE ZIRU
In Gizo
