The Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SICCI) recently held a pivotal meeting with seaweed farmers and exporters to discuss the formation of a dedicated Seaweed Industry Working Group.
The meeting brought together key stakeholders from across the seaweed value chain, including local farmers, exporters, and relevant support agencies. The goal: to address challenges facing the industry and collaborate on strategies to unlock its full economic potential.
As global demand for seaweed continues to rise—both for food and industrial uses—the Solomon Islands is uniquely positioned to grow this sustainable industry. However, stakeholders emphasized the need for better coordination, improved market access, training, and policy support.
“We recognize the growing importance of seaweed not only as a source of livelihood for our rural communities, but also as a potential export earner,” said a SICCI representative. “By forming an industry-led working group, we aim to give seaweed stakeholders a united voice and promote sustainable development across the sector.”
The proposed working group would serve as a platform to: Advocate for policies that support seaweed farming and trade; Share best practices and technical knowledge; Strengthen links between producers and international markets, and Coordinate efforts among government, donors, and the private sector in the development of seaweed industry in Solomon Island
Participants expressed strong support for the initiative and committed to ongoing dialogue and collaboration in the coming months.
The formation of the Seaweed Industry Working Group aligns with SICCI’s mission to drive inclusive economic development by supporting local industries and fostering stronger partnerships between the private sector and policymakers.
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[SICCI]
