Private Australian finance is creating jobs for more than 1000 Solomon Islands workers through a major social enterprise that produces coconut and cocoa-based products that are sold locally and back in Australia.
Kokonut Pacific SI turns 21 this year and could be a model that is replicated throughout the Pacific Islands to help Australia fight back against China’s influence in the region.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was recently in the Solomons for the Pacific Islands Forum, but is having trouble landing two major security deals with Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea as the strategic battle heats up.
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Australian investment encouraged
Born and raised in the Solomon Islands, Kokonut Pacific’s managing director Bob Pollard says the company exists ‘because of Australian and New Zealand investors who have supported the business from day one in a really important partnership’.
“Trade is far better than aid,” Pollard told 7NEWS.
“We appreciate the aid that comes in, but at the end of the day it is once-off, and it is the trade that is important.
“We would encourage genuine investors who are keen to see Pacific businesses grow to invest: it is a challenging environment, but it is definitely worth doing.
“There is a lot of good work being done by the Australian and New Zealand Governments in terms of infrastructure, and other assistance.”
Local benefits
Thirty staff are employed in Kokonut Pacific’s Honiara factory, but it’s in the villages on Malaita — as well as to a lesser extent Makira, Choiseul, Western, Central and Santa Isabel Provinces — where the company makes its biggest social impact.
Sixty processing facilities in the villages provide jobs for more than 1000 people.
They are rural family-owned businesses that have cocoa or coconut processing units and are given guarantees that their products will be bought.
“Currently we are helping village communities get the best money for their coconuts and cocoa,” Pollard says.
“We do value-adds here in Honiara, selling domestically and for export. We are going to grow and potentially diversify into other products in coming years.”
Kokonut Pacific SI is also considering expanding into ginger production in coming years, as agriculture is an underutilised sector in the Solomon Islands’ economy.
Products available in Australia
Australian business Niulife sells the products out of its Canberra base and online.
“Our oils and soaps sell really well, they are natural and healthy products,” Pollard said.
“But when you buy those products, you are putting money back into village livelihood and helping keep people in jobs.”
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