Honiara, Solomon Islands – 28 September 2026.

The Solomon Islands Customs and Excise Division (SICED) recently joined the Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SICCI) Export Industries Development Information Session to engage directly with exporters, businesses and private-sector stakeholders on Customs’ role in supporting trade facilitation and export development.

The session was held on Thursday, 24 September 2026, at the Rock Haven Conference Room, bringing together SICCI members, exporters, businesses and other relevant stakeholders to improve their understanding of government processes, services, requirements and support available to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and export industries.

As part of the programme, SICED delivered a dedicated presentation outlining Customs’ roles, responsibilities, services and support available to businesses and export industries.

The presentation provided exporters and industry stakeholders with a clearer understanding of Customs processes and how the Division works with the trading community to facilitate legitimate and compliant trade.

The engagement also provided an important platform for Customs to interact directly with its trading clients, listen to industry concerns, answer questions and promote greater awareness of Customs requirements and services relevant to export and business activities.

Speaking on behalf of participants, Member of the Provincial Assembly (MPA) for Wagina, Honourable Tongoua Tabe, who represents seaweed exporting farmers in Ward 1 (Wagina), Choiseul Province, highlighted the importance of the information session in strengthening communication between Customs and the business community.

“Customs outreach to SICCI exporters is more than information sharing—it is a partnership that promotes compliance, facilitates legitimate trade, supports exporters and contributes to sustainable economic growth in Solomon Islands.”

Hon. Tabe said the engagement helped exporters better understand Customs requirements, procedures, documentation and compliance obligations.

“It helps us exporters better understand Customs requirements, procedures and documentation. Clear guidance on Customs laws and procedures can help reduce errors and delays.”

He further highlighted the importance of understanding export processes and ensuring that documentation is correctly prepared and praised the Customs and Excise Division for their ongoing support in providing them with the correct, relevant and timely information.

“Better understanding of export processes helps businesses move goods more efficiently through the border. Correct documentation and early understanding of requirements can minimise unnecessary processing delays and business costs.”

Hon. Tabe also stressed the importance of maintaining regular engagement between Customs and the private sector. Regular engagement, he said, creates stronger relationships between Customs and businesses, allows Customs to communicate procedures openly, and provides exporters with an opportunity to raise concerns, seek clarification and better understand their obligations.

For exporters and businesses, understanding Customs requirements is an important part of facilitating compliant, efficient and predictable international trade. Through continued engagement with organisations such as SICCI, Customs aims to maintain open communication with the private sector and ensure that its trading clients have access to relevant information and guidance.

The Customs Division welcomes continued cooperation with SICCI, exporters and the wider business community as part of its ongoing efforts to improve communication, strengthen client awareness, promote compliance and support the development of Solomon Islands’ export industries.

ENDS///

– SICED PRESS

With Photos:

The Member of the Provincial Assembly (MPA) for Wagina is Honourable Tongoua Tabe, acknowledged the Solomon Islands Customs and Excise Division (SICED) under the Ministry of Finance & Treasury (MoFT) for the Information session and interaction with the SICCI Exporting Group.

A senior Representative from the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (OPMC) addressing the participants on the Importance of collaboration between SICCI and key partner Agencies, and the role the Customs & Excise Division plays with the Trading community in the country.

Some of the participants during the SICCI Export Industries Development Information Session on Thursday, 24 September 2026, at Rock Haven, Conference Room.

SICCI Exporters and Participants of the listening attentively during the Presentation at the SICCI Export Industries Development Information Session.