The Solomon Islands government has stepped up its legislative and policy reform agenda, with the Prime Minister's Policy Implementation, Monitoring and Evaluation Unit (PIMEU) holding a second round of consultations with the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, Labour and Immigration.
The consultation, led by PIMEU's Legislative and Policy Reform Subcommittee with support from the Prime Minister's Office Productive Sector Unit, reviewed the ministry's work program, legislative priorities and policy reforms to align them with the GREAT Coalition government's agenda.
The ministry oversees business regulation, cooperatives and SMEs, industry development, immigration, labour, trade disputes, foreign investment, companies and charitable trusts, making it central to efforts to improve the country's investment climate.
Permanent Secretary Riley Mesepitu said closer collaboration with the Prime Minister's Office would help accelerate long-delayed reforms.
Among the ministry's priorities are modernising immigration services through electronic passport and visa systems, updating laws governing foreign investment, companies and business regulation, and reviewing labour legislation and wage policies to support economic growth while protecting workers' rights.
"Our objective is to create a modern, efficient and investor-friendly regulatory environment," Mesepitu said, adding that the government also aims to promote indigenous participation in the economy while advancing digital transformation.
Head of the Productive Sector Unit Nixon Kua said the consultations would help ensure ministries receive the legal and policy support needed to implement reforms more effectively and improve public services.
The consultation program will continue across government ministries as part of the GREAT Coalition's broader efforts to strengthen governance, modernise legislation, improve service delivery and create a more enabling environment for sustainable economic growth and private sector development.
