PNG High Commission in Honiara Supports SIWIBA
The Solomon Islands Women in Business Association (SIWIBA) has received financial support from the PNG High Commission (Chancery) in Solomon Islands towards the upcoming SIWIBA Women in Business Awards 2016 that will take place in July.
Official handover of the financial support took place yesterday at the PNG High Commission (Chancery) in Honiara. Also present was the SIWIBA President, Dalcy Tekulu and SIWIBA Coordinator, Nina Tuhaika.
Speaking at the handover, the PNG High Commissioner, H.E Fred Yakasa said the support is the biggest he has given since coming in as PNG High Commissioner to Solomon Islands in 2014.
As a Gold Sponsor with $25,000.00, H.E Yakasa highlighted that the pledge in SIWIBA’s Gala Night Launch (in December) comes from recognising that women take ownership in what they do, and the initiative to host the awards for local women in business is a worthwhile cause to support.
He added that women in PNG are becoming more proactive in society and are doing things that women in Solomon Islands can learn from, and the same could be said vice versa where women in PNG can learn from women in Solomon Islands.
He added that given the opportunity for women, the sky is the limit.
Mr. Yakasa also welcomed the idea to the proposed invitation to leading women advocate, Mrs. Janet Sape to be part of the awards event.
H.E Yakasa highlighted that during the late 1980s, there was small advocacy from women to stand up to be counted amongst the men folk. In those days they concentrate on doing small income generating initiatives. However, nowadays you see women taking on higher positions that were once men dominated.
In response, the SIWIBA Corporate Sponsorship Chairlady and Vice President, Julie Gegeu Haro expressed deep appreciation on behalf of the Association for the recognition given to support what is going to be the biggest project for SIWIBA.
Mrs. Haro said that it is humbling to see the PNG High Commission’s Office in Solomon Islands, under the leadership H.E Yakasa, coming out of their comfort zone in terms of support from their office, to recognise and value the first ever Women in Business Awards for local business women.
She adds that the support SIWIBA is receiving from the PNG High Commission in Solomon Islands and other sponsors who have pledged support towards the event has increased confidence in the organising team to ensure that it will be a successful story not just for SIWIBA but also for local business women in the country.
Mrs. Haro highlighted that sponsorship spaces are still available and naming rights in partnership with SIWIBA is also available.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Haro as Chairlady of Corporate Sponsorship calls on women who may have an interest in the upcoming awards to be part of SIWIBA.
She explained that the awards will be membership based and will recognise both the formal and informal sectors.
Mrs. Haro stressed that the awards will be an opportunity for women to be recognised at an elevated level as a local business woman.
She said the awards will be focused entirely on the growth and success stories of local business women in the country.
Mrs. Haro added that a formal announcement and details on the awards will be presented at the Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SICCI) AGM that will take place 30th March 2016.
For enquiries on the SIWIBA Women in Business Awards, please consult the SIWIBA Coordinator, Nina Tuhaika on 28387 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
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