CAUSE II Project Fosters Awareness and Opportunities for National Contractors in Honiara

PMU hosts meeting to prepare local contractors for CAUSE II civil works and future procurement opportunities.

The meeting focused on the upcoming civil works contracts associated with the CAUSE II Project

Samuel Belamide, CAUSE Project Lead Works Engineer.

CAUSE II Project Manager Chris Afable sharing insights of the tendering process with contractors.CAUSE II Project Manager Chris Afable sharing insights of the tendering process with contractors.

Participants were introduced to an array of opportunities, covering essential projects such as DBST tar-sealed roads, storm drains, Bailey bridges, urban parks, and coastal protection works.

This meeting, ‘Scaling-Up for CAUSE II: Preparing Small Contractors for Big Opportunities’, brought together around 40 national contractors to discuss upcoming procurement opportunities and critical preparations for future tenders under the transformative project

The Project Management Unit (PMU) of the Community Access and Urban Services Enhancement II (CAUSE II) Project hosted a Business Opportunity and Awareness Meeting on Monday at its Head Office in Honiara.

The event, titled “Scaling-Up for CAUSE II: Preparing Small Contractors for Big Opportunities,” brought together approximately 40 national contractors to discuss upcoming procurement opportunities and the preparations required for future tenders under the CAUSE II initiative.

Designed to strengthen the capacity of local contractors, the meeting focused on upcoming civil works under the project. These include projects such as DBST tar-sealed roads, storm drains, Bailey bridges, urban parks, and coastal protection infrastructure.

Contractors were briefed on key aspects of project delivery, including mobilisation advances, cash flow planning, adherence to World Bank and Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) procurement standards, and the importance of maintaining accurate financial records.

The session also covered contractor mentoring, the provision of template documents, sample Bills of Quantities (BOQs), and guidance on forming Joint Venture agreements—tools aimed at improving contractors’ readiness and competitiveness during the bidding and execution phases.

A question-and-answer segment provided an opportunity for contractors to share their experiences and raise concerns, particularly regarding capacity limitations, financial constraints, and technical skill gaps.

“The strong turnout reflects the interest and willingness of local contractors to engage in meaningful development work,” said Samuel Belamide, CAUSE II Lead Works Engineer. “Participants welcomed the practical information shared, which aims to help them prepare more effectively for upcoming opportunities.”

The meeting is part of CAUSE II’s broader strategy to foster local participation through early engagement and support, ensuring contractors are better positioned to contribute to infrastructure development across the country.

Additional contractor meetings are planned as part of the project’s inclusive delivery approach. These sessions aim to strengthen the role of local contractors in delivering quality infrastructure, growing their businesses, and supporting national development goals.

The Ministry of Infrastructure Development (MID) continues to provide oversight of CAUSE II, which is funded by the World Bank and the Australian Government. The project supports employment generation, urban infrastructure improvements, and enhanced climate resilience in Solomon Islands’ rapidly growing urban areas.

SOURCE: MID PRESS RELEASE