Press Release by SMEC, Honiara

The Small & Medium Enterprises Council (SMEC) thank the out going Chairman of the Council Michael Sheppard Maena for leading the Council in the past four years. Mr Maena left his official duty as Chairman on the 26th August 2008.

SMEC Technical Director, Mr Leliana Firisua says Mr Maena is truly a leader with visionary character that enabled the Council to travel through with confidence during the inception years to where it is today.

"Mr Maena’s leadership and strong leadership have been unmatched in driving a small organization such as SMEC. What we are today as a Council is the result of firm leadership that he has tirelessly rendered to the Council," adds Firisua.

Currently the Council has a strong standing amongst both the public and private sector and advocate as an apex body for Small Business nationwide. During the past four years, the Council also developed relationships with both regional and international organizations and continues to represent the private sector interests on various Government initiatives such as trade negotiations and meetings that relates to SME development.

Mr Firisua said that a highlight of Maena's term as Chairman is the signing of the current “Spotter Agreement” that the Council has with ANZ Bank.

"Michael Sheppard Maena is a dynamic leader with wisdom and confidence and we would like to thank him with his future work and role throughout Solomon Islands".

The Council’s Vice Chairman Mr Jeffrey Aihunu who is from Are Are region of Malaita is now heading the Council until a new Chairman is elected later this year 2008. Mr Aihunu is the owner and Director of Transit Market Place an SME that deals in environmental activities nationally.