Businessman Johnny Sy, who has longstanding interests in the logging and mining sectors, has been appointed Honorary Consul of the Philippines to Solomon Islands.

Sy took up the appointment in Honiara last week.

In the role, he will represent the interests of the Philippine Government and assist Filipinos living and working in Solomon Islands.

Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade Rick Houenipwela expressed confidence that Sy’s private-sector experience would help strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries.

“This could be done by facilitating investment, skills development and knowledge transfer for the benefit of Solomon Islands,” Houenipwela said in a statement.

He said the appointment presented an opportunity to strengthen the friendship and mutually beneficial partnership between the two countries.

Houenipwela also highlighted potential areas for cooperation, including education, health, sustainable development, trade, investment, tourism and people-to-people exchanges.

He emphasised Sy’s role in promoting trade and investment opportunities, encouraging tourism and cultural exchanges, and strengthening business links between the two countries.

Sy is a naturalised Solomon Islands citizen who has lived and conducted business in the country for several decades.

He is also president of the Solomon Forest Association (SFA) and a former deputy chairman of the Solomon Islands Ports Authority.

In the logging sector, Sy owned Bulacan Integrated Wood Industries (SI) Limited, a logging company.

In mining, his company, Solomon Nickel Mining Limited, operates the Siruka mining tenement in east Choiseul. He has also served as a director of Solomon Islands Mining Company Limited and South Pacific Mining Company Limited.