The 2014 Trade Expo Solomon Islands Committee Chairman Redley Raramo says his committee has agreed to move the Trade Expo to 6th – 11th July 2014.
“The reason was for convenient purposes,” Raramo explained.
“The Trade Expo was initially planned to begin on Friday 4th to 9th July, but the committee wanted to involve everyone therefore decided to move the opening on 6th July which is a Sunday,” he added.
“We decided that the programme must begin on Sunday with a prayer day and thereafter everyone can actively participate throughout the whole week of exhibitions and showcasing products,” Raramo said.
Over the past 36 years of the nation’s political independence, the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, Labour and Immigration has organised Annual Trade Shows.
The shows enabled all aspects of the selling process attention, persuasion, desiring and purchasing to be compressed in a single activity, Raramo said.
“Business were able to create awareness of their products or services and thereby broadening their consumer bases”.
He added: “Although other activities may happen, one thing is certain, each visitor is a qualified prospect”.
The chairman said the last annual Trade and Agriculture show was held from 5th to 10th July 2012 and it was organised during the country’s hosting of the 11th Festival of Pacific Arts.
The chairman also stated that annual Provincial Trade shows had been organised, beginning in Lata in 2008, followed by Tulagi, Buala, Choiseul Bay, Kira Kira and in 2013, Gizo in the Western province.
The chairman confirmed that work on the 2014 Annual Trade Show had started.
“This year, the show will be referred to as the Trade Expo Solomon Islands 2014 and the theme is: “Innovation and Partnership to create a vibrant Solomon Islands Economy”.
Work on Trade Expo Solomon Islands 2014 had begunm” Raramo announced.
“The Trade Expo Solomon Islands 2014 is scheduled to coincide with the Solomon Islands 36th Independence Anniversary celebrations and the Solomon Islands hosting the Pacific Economic Ministers Meeting from the 8th – 9th July 2014”.
Raramo said this is significant because this is the opportunity for the business sector to promote their products to the international visitors, and to the local people who will flock into Honiara.
Meanwhile, Raramo revealed that the Trade Expo Solomon Islands 2014 falls under the government Policy expected outcome 3.2.2 “Creating and Promoting Opportunities” facilitated by the Department of Marketing and Export Promotion.
“Trade Expo Solomon Islands 2014 was launched on the 28th March 2014 by the Minister of Commerce, Industries, Labour and Immigration at the Mendana Hotel in Honiara.
“As such a 20 members committee was then appointed to oversee the national event”, Raramo concluded.
