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What is Strongim Bisnis?

noun: ‘Strongim Bisnis’ Solomons Pidgin, the language spoken in Solomon Islands translates to ‘Strengthen Business’.

Strongim Bisnis is an Australian Government initiative, implemented by Adam Smith International, working with the private sector and Solomon Islands Government to make a strong, positive and lasting impact through business growth.

Our approach

Strongim Bisnis uses a market systems development approach to address poverty through inclusive economic growth, the first of its kind in Solomon Islands.

This means we work with businesses and government to deal with barriers to growing businesses, and use innovative approaches to build new businesses, diversify existing ones, or scale up operations so that more people benefit.

Areas of impact - Our Programs

Tackling the nation’s trade and investment challenges, we work to provide solutions for businesses and investors in the coconut, cocoa, tourism, waste management, timber, financial services and horticulture industries, while empowering women, youth and people living with disability.

Women's Economic Empowerment

Increasing gender equity and opportunities for women to access and take advantage of resources to create and obtain jobs and move into senior roles throughout the market.

Cocoa

The Solomon Islands - Australia Partnership’s Strongim Bisnis is revolutionising the Solomon Islands cocoa sector through investments in local enterprises and extensive marketing efforts, stimulating in-country value addition and generating an increased demand for local cocoa products.

Coconut

The Solomon Islands - Australia Partnership’s Strongim Bisnis is strengthening growth of the coconut industry through marketing and diversification of the product range of existing producers, bringing sustainability and resilience to businesses.

GEDSI

Strongim Bisnis is working to create more inclusive economic opportunities by actively supporting Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI). Through targeted interventions and partnerships, the program helps remove barriers to participation, such as limited access to resources and decision-making. By promoting inclusiveness across sectors, Strongim Bisnis aims to build a more equitable economy that benefits everyone.

Horticulture

The Solomon Islands - Australia Partnership’s Strongim Bisnis is expanding its support for smallholder farmers in Guadalcanal Province by improving access to essential resources and services. By partnering with food processing companies, the program continues to open market opportunities.

Timber

The Solomon Islands timber sector relies heavily on round log exports, with only a small fraction of wood exports processed locally. As the natural forest logging industry declines, there is a critical need to expand plantation timber and enhance domestic processing capabilities. Strongim Bisnis is focusing on improving plantation timber value chains and downstream processing to ensure the sector's long-term sustainability.

Tourism

The tourism sector plays a significant role in the Solomon Islands' economy, contributing 10.5% to GDP and generating USD 132.8 million annually before the COVID-19 pandemic. With a goal of reaching 50,000 international visitors per year by 2025, Strongim Bisnis is partnering with high-potential businesses to help the tourism industry grow.

Waste Management

Strongim Bisnis is working on waste streams (initially within Guadalcanal, Central and Western provinces) with the objective of finding sustainable and commercially viable solutions for recycling and waste removal/disposal services. This is aimed at driving economic growth and creating private sector jobs.

Youth & Disability Inclusion

Addressing the vulnerability of unemployed young women and men and the barriers for youth to be included in the economy – especially those who live with disabilities.

Jaime Reibel

CEO Strongim Bisnis

Our Executive

Jaime Reibel has had a 47-year career in senior consulting, government, international NGO and for-profit international company and program management leadership/delivery, during which he has been the Chief of Party or Team Leader of 9 long-term donor-funded projects & Deputy of 1 other, working in 31 countries in Southern, West and East Africa, Latin America, the Pacific, North America, and South Asia.

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Empowering Business Growth

Supporting economic growth and diversity in Solomon Islands through market systems development and private sector partnerships.

Prosperity For All

Strongim Bisnis is an Australian Government initiative working in partnership with the private sector to make a strong, positive and lasting impact through business growth.

News

Read up on the latest news, events and resources from Strongim Bisnis

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