Papua New Guinea’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Immigration and Border Security, Hon. John Rosso, has congratulated the Solomon Islands Immigration Division on the successful launch of its new Border Management System (BMS). The launch, supported by PNG ICSA and the Australian Government, marks a major milestone in strengthening Pacific border security and digital transformation.
The Solomon Islands Immigration Division, in collaboration with national and regional partners, has completed a two-day e-Passport Self-Assessment Workshop to review and strengthen the country’s passport system. Supported by PNG ICSA, the workshop identified key areas for reform to align with ICAO international security standards and guide upcoming legislative and system upgrades.
The Ministry of Commerce, Industry, Labour and Immigration (MCILI) and the Young Entrepreneurs Council of Solomon Islands (YECSI) have officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), confirming MCILI as the Gold Sponsor for the upcoming YECSI E-Commerce Entrepreneur Award.
The partnership underscores the Government’s commitment to empowering young entrepreneurs and advancing digital transformation under the National E-Commerce Strategy (2022–2027). Through this collaboration, MCILI aims to promote innovation, digital entrepreneurship, and inclusive economic growth across the Solomon Islands.
Excerpt – Second National E-Commerce Steering Committee (NESC.02) Meeting
The Second National E-Commerce Steering Committee (NESC.02) Meeting was successfully held on 21 October 2025 at Heritage Park Hotel, Honiara. Chaired by Mr. Riley Mesepitu, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, Labour and Immigration (MCILI), the meeting brought together representatives from key government ministries, the private sector, and development partners.
The E-Commerce Implementation Unit (EIU), serving as the Secretariat, presented progress updates on the National E-Commerce Strategy (NECS) 2022–2027, including the new Monitoring and Evaluation Framework and upcoming priorities for 2026. Stakeholders such as the Central Bank of Solomon Islands and the Ministry of Communication and Aviation shared updates on digital financial solutions, telecommunications, and e-commerce-related policy initiatives.
The Committee reaffirmed its commitment to advancing digital transformation, strengthening collaboration, and ensuring e-commerce contributes to inclusive growth across Solomon Islands.
The Solomon Islands National Export Policy, through the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, Labour and Immigration (MCILI), today launched a workshop to advance the country’s first Solomon Islands National Export Policy (NEP).
The E-commerce Implementation Unit (EIU) held an information session with Solomon islands Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SICCI) members at Heritage Park Hotel, highlighting the growing role of e-commerce and digital trade in boosting SME growth. SMEs to embrace e-commerce.
Agri-Business Incubation Centre launched in Honiara to boost agriculture and sustainable growth in Solomon Islands
SITESA National Stakeholder Meeting organized focusing on the Pacific Qualification Recognition Project (PQRP).
The Solomon Islands took a significant step forward in modernizing its Immigration services with the launch of a two-day National Workshop introducing the country’s new Digital Border Management System (BMS).
Solomon Islands Immigration Division (SIID) and PNG Immigration and Citizenship Services Authority (PNG ICSA) successfully conducted a two days border management system (BMS) workshop with Solomon Islands national stakeholders in Honiara from 22nd – 23rd April 2024.
The BMS workshop is a follow-up consultation with the Solomon Islands national stakeholders socialising with Foreign Investment, Labour, Police, Information Communication, Technology Service Unit and Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade on the SIID proposed BMS project.
Solomon Islands is developing a new visa regime, which will be implemented soon and to go online to support investment, facilitate travels, trade and tourism.
The SI BMS project is one of the Immigration priorities for 2024 – 2026, which the Australian Government has approved funding for it earlier this year.
The project will help SIID to better manage the country’s borders and streamline investment, employment, visas processes, easing travels for investors, businesses and tourists wishing to apply for visa online.
The two days workshop allowed SIID and PNG ICSA to unpack the BMS functionalities for participants to understand why we need a border management system for Solomon Islands.
Supervising Permanent Secretary, Mr Hunter Masuguria, acknowledged the Australian and PNG Government for taking the lead to support SI Immigration.
PNG ICSA was tasked to support SIID in developing and implementing the BMS work plan for the Solomon Islands.
In his response, the PNG Acting Chief Migration Officer, Mr Wellington Navasivu, reiterated PNG ICSA commitment to supporting SIID to develop its border management system.
Acting Director of Immigration, Mr Chris Akosawa acknowledged the presence of the BMS workshop participants.
PNG ICSA is implementing a similar border system, Merit System, which uses their expertise, knowledge and experiences of rolling out the Merit Border System.
Mr Akosawa confirmed the PNG ICSA’s assistance including preparation and training development for Immigration officials on the BMS.
SIID is ambitious about rolling out a robust electronic border management system in which all entries and exits of Solomon Islands to be digitized; ensuring to keep our borders safe and secured.
PNG ICSA assistance includes assessment and scoping exercise on existing Solomon Islands Government infrastructure.
Mr Alfred Amos, PNG ICSA Infrastructure officer, confirmed that he was satisfied with the SI ICTSU existing infrastructures that would be supportive to the SI Immigration Border Management System.
PNG ICSA has an ongoing support for SI Immigration under an MOU on border security and cooperation signed in 2023.
The SIID is looking forward for the BMS’s first phase implementation in mid-year 2024 and anticipating for SI Visas.
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