Solomon Islands had successfully participated at a seminar on Standardization Cooperation in Intelligent Equipment Manufacturing for Developing Countries.
The event was held from August 26 to September 8, 2025, in China.
Hosted by the Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China and the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Mechanization Sciences Group Co. Ltd (CAAMS), the seminar gathered representatives from ten developing nations, including Iraq, Egypt, Bahamas, Namibia, Gambia, Kenya, Bangladesh, Uzbekistan, Indonesia, and the Solomon Islands.
The event provided an invaluable platform for knowledge sharing and collaboration in the field of intelligent manufacturing and standardization.
The four member Solomon Islands team was represented by Clifton Mele Ruele, Cabinet Sub Committees Legal Consultant, Humphrey R. Tautai, Senior Inspector for Trade Measurement & Standards Unit, Ministry of Commerce, Industry, Labour and Immigration, Tuke Leo Stanley Manager of Islands Own Coconut Company and Ben Rakai, Media and Communications Officer of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock MAL.
“This seminar comes at a pivotal moment for the Solomon Islands, particularly in light of our commitments to drive transformation in the agriculture, fisheries, commerce & trade, and the mining sectors, by transitioning from smallholder productions to meeting modernize commercial manufacturing standards.
“The insights gained from the seminar will significantly contribute to our capacity building, foster industrial diversification, and encourage sustainable economic growth,” the team said.
The seminar’s primary goal was to enhance participants’ understanding of standardization in intelligent equipment manufacturing, drawing lessons from China’s extensive experience and best practices.
Participants also had the opportunity to engage in industrial visits to prominent institutions such as Jilin University, Shanghai University of Electric Power, and various manufacturing companies in Suzhou.
Among the vital lessons learned, the Solomon Islands representatives noted the significance of standardization for enhancing competitiveness and ensuring product quality and safety.
“The training underscored the importance of a policy-driven approach to industrial development, exemplified by China’s successful poverty alleviation strategies and modernization initiatives.”
“These insights are not only beneficial for aligning local manufacturing standards with international frameworks but also provide a framework for enhancing policy planning, quality assurance, and innovation capabilities within Solomon Islands’ industrial sector,” they said.
Lead photo caption: From left to right. Ben Rakai, Media and Communications Officer MAL, Clifton Mele Ruele, Cabinet Sub Committees Legal Consultant as team leader, Tuke Leo Stanley Manager of Islands Own Coconut Company and Humphrey R. Tautai, Assistant Inspector Consumer Affairs and Price Control, Ministry of Commerce.
