The Young Entrepreneurs Council Solomon Islands (YECSI) now has a Board following its first ever Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Wednesday 3rd October 2018 at the Heritage Park Hotel.
YECSI members, young entrepreneurs, Government representatives, members of the Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SICCI), and SICCI staff attended the event to witness the election of Board Members.
The new Board is led by Millicent Barty, Owner of Millicent Designs as Chairlady and Chrisnrita Aumanu-Leong of Naesmel Perfume as Vice Chairlady.
The other three YECSI Board Members are: Andrew Bouro, Co-Founder/Director Torn Parachute Media: Gloria Hong, Co-Founder/Publisher Today Solomons Magazine and Director Samedia limited: and Solomon Chant, Operations Manager, Skyeye Solomons.
At the close of nominations on September 19, only five nominees were received, as such, the board members were elected unopposed.
Five members will be elected for the Board every year during the AGM, and another two co-opted – meaning two more members will join on appointment by the elected Board.
The YECSI Board will be made up of seven members.
YECSI is a body that will assist in the promotion, development and provision of dedicated support services to young entrepreneurs in Solomon Islands. YECSI will bring young entrepreneurs together to be part of a larger group of young entrepreneurs.
It will support entrepreneurs in a range of areas including mentoring, coaching, business planning and facilitating business trainings where possible.
A huge part of YECSI mandate is to also undertake advocacy on behalf of young entrepreneurs aimed at unlocking legislative, and policy constraints that are holding back opportunities for young Solomon Islanders.
YECSI is a joint initiative between SICCI and the Solomon Islands Government (SIG) through the Ministry of Women Youth and Children Affairs (MWYCA). It is co-funded by the MWYCA.
The occasion recorded a big turnout from young entrepreneurs in Honiara and those from Western and Malaita Province welcoming a platform aimed at creating a business environment for young people in business to flourish.
SICCI CEO, Mr Meone, who is also Chairman of the YECSI Advisory Committee, presided over the AGM.
YECSI Coordinator, John Wopereis delivered a presentation on the structure, organization and objectives of YECSI.
“I’m happy that finally we have reached a milestone event, that is the first YECSI AGM.
“We have a really good Board, so I’m looking forward for all the work we are going to be doing for all the young entrepreneurs in the Solomon Islands,” he said.
“We have some really good leaders in the Board who represent different sectors and industries and they are all very innovative in their businesses. From their experience as entrepreneurs, they really know the issues young people in business are facing because they go through similar issues,” Mr Wopereis added.
Young entrepreneur, Millicent Barty is excited at the same time nervous about being the first Chairlady for YECSI.
“After the AGM and hearing what other board members will bring to YECSI there was a sheer relief that together we can really drive this platform forward.
“Part of the vision for YECSI is to somehow work together with Government because it is important that this partnership create a good business environment for young people.
“We want to foster an effective, robust and thriving environment where young entrepreneurs can take on this entrepreneurship journey,” she said.
SICCI CEO, Mr Meone said the country needs to create more jobs for its young population and be innovative highlighting YECSI as a platform for our young, talented and aspiring entrepreneurs to access services to transform innovative ideas into successful business opportunities while in turn creating needed jobs going into the future.
The official launch of YECSI will be held next week.
