CEMA Cabinet Sub-Committee Conducts Official Tour to Central Islands Province

HONIARA, Solomon Islands -The Commodities Export Marketing Authority (CEMA) Cabinet Sub-Committee recently visited the Central Islands Province from March 4-7, 2026, at the invitation of the Central Provincial Government.

The visit aimed to advance the government’s flagship policy on revitalising the Commodity Export Marketing Authority (CEMA) and aligning provincial development strategies with the national economic transformation agenda.

During the visit, the Sub-Committee updated the Central Islands Provincial Government on the CEMA Revitalisation and Recapitalisation Strategy (2021–2027) and explored ways to strengthen rural commodity markets.

The revitalisation of CEMA aims to restore its commercial trading functions, improve market access for farmers, and expand value-added processing and export opportunities for commodities like coconut and cocoa.

Central Islands Province Premier, Hon. Kenneth Sagupari, emphasised the province’s readiness to deliver tangible development outcomes, citing projects like a coconut refinery, revitalisation of the Hakama Agriculture Centre, and development of the Special Economic Zone.

The delegation met with provincial officials, ward members, church leaders, and farmers to discuss opportunities to boost copra and cocoa production, establish commodity clusters, and explore downstream processing and export development.

A site visit was also made to the Hakama agricultural land, earmarked for future development.

The visit highlights the government’s commitment to strengthening national-provincial collaboration and translating national policies into real economic opportunities for rural communities.

The Central Islands Province, a key agricultural region, produces an estimated 3,300-3,800 metric tonnes of copra annually, valued at SBD $15-18 million.

“The CEMA revitalisation is about reconnecting rural farmers to reliable markets and strengthening commodity value chains,” said Simon Chottu, Director of the CEMA Cabinet Sub-Committee.

The CEMA Team visited the Premier and Executive members and Provincial Officials.

CEMA team visits the Hakama Centre

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