TEAM SOLO GET BIG TIME TV EXPOSURE ON PAN ARABIC REGIONAL & GLOBAL CHANNEL

Team Leader Product Marketing Garedd Porowai appeared on screen

Jenny Barile of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade appeared on the TV show

PR Volunteer Kelepi Abariga during the TV Show

The Solomon Islands Team at the Dubai Expo 2020 were studio guests on Dubai One TV on Saturday 8 January 2021 hosted by Business Presenter Ms. Dina Barqawi.

In the show, Deputy Commissioner General and Pavilion Director Mr Dennis Marita first enlightened the viewers about our Pavilion, the history of the Solomon Islands, the intricate traditional and contemporary designs, food and body products and the carefully placed artifacts which resembled a journey in time, one which many past visitors have commented on, as a Pavilion that was easy to understand in terms of the invaluable information that was available as they entered and browsed through.

Public Relations Volunteer Kelepi Abariga was given the opportunity to elaborate further on the name Solomon, who according to Middle Eastern history was known as Sulaimān ibn Dāwūd (Arabic: سُلَيْمَان بْن دَاوُوْد,) Solomon son of David), and was revered both in the Holy Bible and the Quran.

“Our ability to establish such narratives also resonated well with the Theme for Expo 2020 Dubai of ‘Connecting Minds & Creating the Future’ as we were able to help the future generation understand how history had evolved and helped shape our existence and understanding of our common linkages,” said Mr Abariga, a Fiji-born 4^th generation Solomon Islands descendant based in Dubai.

Ms Jenny Barile from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs & External Trade gave an overview of the various aspects of investment portfolios available in the Solomon Islands adding that our presence at the Expo 2020 Dubai would help provide the platform that would enable further collaborations between the UAE and the International Community especially in the areas of Trade and Economic Development.

Team Leader Product Marketing Garedd Porowai explained that the Solomon Islands was a viable destination for UAE tourists to visit as it was an emerging destination where everything is raw, rustic and real with no kids clubs or 7 star resorts, but 7 star experiences and adventure. “As for Niche Tourism Markets, Scuba Diving, Surfing, Fishing, WWII History and Culture would attract every visitor’s interest,” Porowai said.

Mr Porowai further explained that Sustainable Tourism was the way forward for the Solomon Islands. With approximately 1000 more Islands to discover, it was the Cultural Diversity comprising of the 3 ethnic groups of Melanesian, Polynesian and Micronesians that reflected   the Islands unique heritage and identity.  He concluded that whilst Tourism’s contribution to GDP was still behind, the industry will certainly become a main contributor to the country’s economy in the future.

The 30 minute Prime Time Live Broadcast to more than 50 million viewers in the Arabic Region and around the world also included Live-Crossover from the Dubai One TV crew capturing the various artifacts on display at our Solomon Islands Pavilion which briefly featured Pavilion staff joyfully Joji Luita beating the Bamboo drums.

It was certainly a Window of Opportunity for our Team Solo to tell the World about our beloved Happy Isles and to also express how grateful and privileged we are to be Connecting Minds at Expo 2020 Dubai and helping to create the Future towards a better Growth and Prosperity for all.

-GCU Press