Solomon Islands is an archipelagic state situated in the South West Pacific Ocean, approximately 3
hours flight to the north-east of Brisbane. Its land mass of 28,400 square kilometres extends over
nearly one thousand islands comprising nine main island groups. The capital, Honiara, is located on
Guadalcanal, which is the largest island.
Australia has a deep and longstanding relationship with Solomon Islands. During the Second World
War, Australians were involved in the struggle to liberate the islands from Japanese occupation. In the
post-war period, people and business links with Solomon Islands have grown steadily and there are
now estimated to be around 700 Australians resident in Solomon Islands, mainly in Honiara.
The economy has been growing consistently in recent years, except for a contraction in 2014 caused
by devastating floods and the closure of Gold Ridge mine. It grew by 3.25% in 2015, and according to
ratings agency Moody’s is expected to expand by 3.5% over the next year.
The majority of the population (growing at about 2.3 per cent per annum) is involved in
subsistence/cash crop agriculture, with less than a quarter involved in paid work. Exports are
commodities-based and include timber, fish, cocoa and copra. The mining sector ceased when the
Gold Ridge gold mine near Honiara closed in March 2014. A significant nickel deposit on the island of
Isabel is moving towards commercialisation. There are also prospects in the near future of an
Australian company developing a bauxite mine. The logging industry accounts for around 70 per cent
of export earnings and 10 per cent of government revenue, but is expected to decline.
Solomon Islands offer solid opportunities for the international business community in areas such as
infrastructure (a new hydroelectricity project is in prospect), services, tourism development,
sustainable forestry, agri-industry and fisheries. It is also a good time for mining services companies
to be positioning themselves for possible growth in the mining sector.
Agriculture and fishing provide the mainstay of the Solomon Islands economy, employing up to 75% of
the workforce, with most working in subsistence agriculture. A warm, tropical climate, good soils and
reliable rainfall make Solomon Islands an ideal place to produce a range of agricultural commodities.
The major cash crops are palm oil, copra, and cocoa. A small amount of coffee is produced, and
studies are currently investigating the feasibility of cultivating rice on a large scale. While exports of
cocoa and copra are on a fairly small scale, they have enjoyed strong growth in recent times, partly
thanks to higher international prices.
The Australia Pacific Islands Business Council, with support from Austrade, invites businesses to
participate in the trade mission. Joining the mission will entitle you to:

participate in a prearranged business program, including optional targeted site visits depending
on your industry sector;

participation in market briefings during the mission;

participation to all networking functions during the mission;
Detailed program arrangements are being developed along the following lines. Members of the
mission will undertake group market briefings by senior Austrade and Australian Department of
Foreign Affairs and Trade experts in the economy and the market, attend a briefing for business
mission participants on proposed infrastructure developments, attend specially arranged networking
functions with local business people and officials including participation in a mini-trade expo arranged
specifically for the delegation, spent time undertaking individual program appointments made
according to each company’s specific business interests, and subject to agreement with the operators
may make site visits to Guadalcanal Plains Palm Oil Limited, Sasape Repair Facility at Tulagi, with the
option of an overnight visit to inspect the Munda Airport redevelopment and at nearby Noro visit the
Soltuna facility and a planned warehousing project.
Air services between Brisbane and Honiara operate on six days a week (there are no services on
Sunday) provided by Solomon Islands Airlines in codeshare with Qantas and BY Virgin Australia.
Connections into Honiara are also available from Port Moresby, Nadi and Port Vila. The mission
program will commence at 4 p.m. on Monday 20 June 2016, to allow participants to travel to Honiara
that day, providing for optional travel into Honiara on Saturday. The optional visit to Noro and Munda
will depart Honiara at 0800 on Thursday 23 June 2016. Participants in this optional visit can return to
Honiara on Friday 24 June 2016 in time to connect with the Brisbane flight leaving mid-afternoon, or
can remain longer if they wish. Participants not taking this optional visit may leave Honiara on
Thursday or Friday.
Participants must book and pay for their own air tickets.
Accommodation in Honiara is best found at;
Heritage Park Hotel
www.heritageparkhotel.com.sb/
P: (677) 24007)
Mendana Hotel
www.kitanomendana.com/en
P: (677) 20071
King Solomon Hotel
www.kingsolomonhotel.info
P: (677) 21205
Honiara Hotel
Pacific Casino Hotel
P: (677) 21737
www.solomon-hotel.com/.
P: (677) 25009
The latter hotel is less centrally located than the others. Bookings can be made directly with the hotel
or online or through booking sites such as www.wotif.com and www.tripadvisor.com. Participants
must make and pay for their own accommodation bookings.
The mission fee charged by the Council for arranging the mission and for arranging your personalised
business program and networking functions will be AUD1100 for each participating company
(including 1 business representative). There will be a fee of $550 for each additional representative
from the same company. Participants who do not wish a program to be arranged but to participate in
the mission briefing and attend networking functions will be required to pay a fee of $550 per person
for inclusion in the mission. There is an additional charge for those choosing to take the Western
Province visit option of $250 for each participating company, and $150 for each additional
representative of the same company
The full fee covers:

attendance at the mission briefing on Monday 20 June 2016.

participation in the mini-trade expo.

preparation of individual in-market business matching program organised for you.

networking functions.

group ground transport for airport transfers.

Subject to confirmation, site visits to Guadalcanal Plains Palm Oil Limited, and Sasape Ship
Repair Facility at Tulagi. Costs for the visit to Munda and Noro are not included.
The mission fee does not cover individual transport arrangements, meals and entertainment
undertaken outside group arrangements, and any specialised services required including visits outside
Honiara.
Immediately complete and send the attached reservation form and your payment of the appropriate
mission fee to the Australia Pacific Islands Business Council, by e-mail to [email protected], by
facsimile to 07 3348 5172, or to PO Box 422, WYNNUM, QLD 4178. You will then be sent confirmation
that your place is reserved and a receipt for the payment.
Please note places on the mission cannot be guaranteed until payment is received. A limit of ten
participating companies will be accepted for the mission. In the event that all places are booked when
your application is received, you will be placed on a waiting list or your deposit will be returned. The
mission fee is 100% refundable if cancellation of booking is received in writing by 20 May 2016 or in
the case of cancellation of the mission. 50% of the fee will be refunded for any cancellation of
registration after 20 May 2016. The mission fee is not subject to GST because the service is provided
outside Australia.
Registrations close COB Friday 20 May 2016. The mission will proceed subject to sufficient
registrations being received by the closing date. If the mission does not proceed full refunds will be
made. For further information please contact Frank Yourn, Executive Director, Australia Pacific islands
Business Council, Tel: 07 3348 5142 or 0412 608 195, [email protected].
***
MONDAY 20 JUNE 2016.
1000
Depart Brisbane Flight Solomon Airlines
QF379/IE701
1415
Arrive Honiara.
Transfer to hotel of choice.
SATURDAY 18 JUNE 2016.
0900
1315
Depart Brisbane Flight Solomon Airlines
QF379/IE701
Arrive Honiara.
Transfer to hotel of choice.
MONDAY 20 JUNE 2016.
1600
Mission briefing arranged by Australian High Commission, Honiara.
1800
Reception hosted by Australian High Commissioner.
TUESDAY 21 JUNE 2016.
0730
Briefing by Austrade on appointments program.
0830
Economic briefing at Central Bank of Solomon Islands.
0930
Participants embark on program of business calls.
1700
Business After 5 Mini Trade Expo and Networking Function arranged by Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce
and Industry.
Evening own arrangements.
WEDNESDAY 22 JUNE 2016.
Option 1
0730 Depart Honiara for Guadalcanal Plains Palm Oil
Limited.
Option 2
Participants continue on program of business calls in
Honiara..
0830-1030 Visit to Guadalcanal Plains Palm Oil Limited.
1200
Arrive back in Honiara.
1900
Mission dinner in Honiara.
THURSDAY 23 JUNE 2016.
Option 1
a.m. Appointments in Honiara.
1200 Depart Honiara Flight
QF380/IE700.
1415 Arrive Brisbane.
OR
1450 Depart Honiara Virgin
Australia Flight VA186.
1655 Arrive Brisbane.
Option 2
Subject to agreement with the
operator.
Option 3
0800 Depart Honiara Flight IE800.
0905-0925 Transit Gizo.
0730 Depart by boat for visit to
Sasape Ship Repair Facility.
0900 Visit to Sasape Ship Repair
Facility, and tour of Tulagi
Island. Thereafter at leisure on
Tulagi Island.
1530 Depart Sasape Ship Repair
Facility for Honiara.
0940 Arrive Munda.
Transfer to Agnes Lodge.
1100 Depart by road for Noro.
1130 Arrive Noro.
1700 Return to Agnes Lodge.
Evening own arrangements.
1700 Arrive back at Honiara.
Evening own arrangements.
FRIDAY 24 JUNE 2016.
VOID.
a.m.
Appointments in Honiara.
1415 Depart Honiara Solomon
Airlines Flight QF380/IE700.
1630 Arrive Brisbane.
1130 Depart Munda Solomon
Airlines Flight IE801.
1225 Arrive Honiara.
1415 Depart Honiara Solomon
Airlines Flight QF380/IE700.
1630 Arrive Brisbane.
PARTICIPANTS MAY CHOOSE TO DEPART HONIARA AT A LATER DATE IF THEY WISH.
ABN 95 246 587 153
Name: _______________________________________________________________________
Additional Participants: _______________________________________________________
Company: ____________________________________________________________________
Position: ______________________________________________________________________
Address: _____________________________________________________________________
Phone: ___________________________
Fax:___________________________
Email: ________________________________________________________________________
I will participate in the following optional visits:
1
Guadalcanal Palm Oil.
Sasape Ship Repair Facility .
1
Additional cost – boat fare.
Export information:
Have you exported to Solomon Islands?
2
Western Province (Noro and Munda) .
2
Additional fee see below.
Current exporter
Yes
Never exported
No
Company’s area/s of expertise:
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
What would you expect to achieve on the trade mission?
1. _________________________________________________________________________
2. _________________________________________________________________________
What type of organisation/company/government body would you like to meet while on the trade mission?
1. _________________________________________________________________________
2. _________________________________________________________________________
Are there any announcements your company would like to make during the mission, for example, a contract
signing, partnership deal, new product launch, etc.
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
Any comments?
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
FEE FOR PARTICIPATION IN THE MISSION (PER PERSON FOR HONIARA ONLY):
FEE FOR ADDITIONAL PERSONS FROM THE SAME COMPANY:
ADDITIONAL FEE WESTERN PROVINCE VISIT:
FEE FOR ADDITIONAL PERSON (SAME COMPANY) VISITING WESTERN PROVINCE:
PARTICIPANTS WITH NO PERSONALISED PROGRAM
TOTAL AMOUNT OWING:
AUD1100.00
AUD550.00
AUD250.00
AUD150.00
AUD550.00
AUD ____________.00.
This is not a tax invoice because it covers services provided outside Australia.
Payment Options
Credit card: (2% processing fee will be added)
Mastercard
Visa
American Express
Diners’ Club
Card No:
.
Name on card …………………………………
Expiry: .
/
Signature of cardholder……………………………….…..
Attach cheque payable to Australia Pacific Islands Business Council.
Direct deposit to Australia Pacific Islands Business Council, Westpac Banking Corporation, WYNNUM
QLD 4178: BSB 034-053 Account 15-6135.
Please add AU $20.00 if transferring from outside Australia for international bank fees.
Cancellation Policy: All booking cancellations must be in writing. 100% refundable if cancelled by Friday 20 May 2016, 50% refundable
thereafter. Substitutes allowed any time. Full refunds will be made in case of cancellation of the Mission by APIBC.