LEADER of Independent Group called on the Commerce Minister to inform parliament on business operations in the country during parliament yesterday.

Hon Dr Derek Sikua asked this of the Minister for Commerce, Industry, Labour and Immigration Elijah Doro Muala concerning a number of local and foreign investors here.

He asked how many trade/hardware stores within Honiara City boundary are foreign and locally owned.

Minister Muala revealed that as from 2006 to third quarter of 2016, a total of 141 foreign owned trade/hardware stores are registered to do business within the Honiara City boundary.

From the total number of trade/hard store, Mr Muala said, “a total of 80 were registered for doing business which includes Honiara and provinces.

“Data obtain from the Honiara City Council show that 342 trade stores and 47 hard ware paid their business license at the beginning of 2016. Unfortunately the data however did not show weather these businesses are foreign or locally owned.”

For foreign investors in the country, Mr Muala said, “From 2006 to third quarter of 2016 there were 283 foreign owned businesses being registered to do wholesaling within HCC boundary.”

In terms of identifying who is foreign and who is local Minister Muala said data obtained from the HCC only shows 42 general wholesalers have paid their business licence at the beginning of 2016.

Minister Muala assures parliament, “my Ministry will surely carryout a survey in Honiara this year to determine the number of trade hardware stores and wholesale businesses that are foreign and locally owned.

“And the data will be kept in data desk or website for future references.”

Aoke Langa langa MP, Mr Mathew Wale responding to Commence Ministry’s plan for data survey, said “this kind of survey for data for references without proper action is not good.”

“We must have the data to inform the policy and policy to strengthen the hand of our people for indigenous business.”

He further said, “These numbers are staggering in a sector where really should be our own people dominating with some affirmative.”