Economy Archive May 2022

Solomon Islands natural beauty awaits!

Tourism Solomons Welcomes Decision to Fully Reopen Solomon Islands Border

Tourism Solomons has welcomed Solomon Islands Prime Minister, Manasseh Sogavare’s announcement the country’s border will fully reopen on 1 July 2022.
“This announcement is certainly a positive development as the gradual recovery of Solomon Islands’ tourism industry and the contribution that growth in international tourism and development can make to the economy is entirely dependent upon the reopening of our borders,” said Mr. Gebers.

Solomon Airlines Welcomes Re-opening of Borders on 1st July 2022

Solomon Airlines has welcomed the announcement by Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare confirming the full reopening of Solomon Islands' international borders, commencing on 1 July 2022.
Within his first seven months in Australia, Francis had saved enough to pay for the construction of his own home in Honiara. His first goal completed, he then commenced work on his parents’ house, then supported his sister to build her own home as well as his in-laws.

Seasonal Worker in Australia Builds Homes for His Family

Francis Milamila has had an exciting journey after he joined the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) Scheme in January 2020.
Those infected with monkeypox will typically experience a fever, intense headache, muscle aches, back pain, low energy, swollen lymph nodes and a skin rash or lesions. The rash usually begins within one to three days of the start of a fever. Number of lesions can range between a few to several thousands.

Health Keeping a Close Eye on Monkeypox Virus

Public Health experts of the Ministry of Health are keeping a close eye on developments with the multi-country outbreak of monkeypox around the world.
"Our partnership promotes peace not only through security cooperation, but also by addressing economic challenges, climate change and a range of other development needs we face as a region," said Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta in a statement.

New Zealand Troop Deployment in Solomon Islands Extended

By Reuters
New Zealand on Wednesday said it would extend the New Zealand Defence Force's deployment to the Solomon Islands until at least May next year, amid concerns among Western allies about China's growing presence in the South Pacific.
The drug has been endorsed in March 2022 by the National Medicines and Therapeutic Committee for use in country. The drug will be administered by health workers in a monitored clinical setting along with current standard of care for COVID-19 which includes oxygen and other medications.

Tocilizumab Drug to Treat Severe and Critical COVID-19 Patients Now Available

Tocilizumab, an antibody drug approved by the WHO to treat COVID-19 patients, has arrived in the country.
“Trying to locate the vessel in distress within our vast EEZ would have been very difficult without the aid of the FFA aircraft and also having HMAS Ararat on hand to tow the vessel back to port was crucial. This collaborative effort definitely saved lives,” said Commander Soko.

Regional Cooperation Ensures 17 Passengers Rescued From Boat in Distress

17 passengers were returned safely to their loved ones thanks to the combined effort of the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) Aerial Surveillance Program (ASP) aircraft, the Royal Solomon Islands Police (RSIPF) Maritime Division and Australia’s HMAS Ararat over the weekend.
Sogavare further assured Prime Minister Albanese that Solomon Islands remains Australia’s steadfast friend and development partner of choice.

Sogavare Congratulates Albanese on His Election Win

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has congratulated Australia’s new Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on his election victory as the 31st Prime Minister of Australia.
The award was presented to SIPA Chairman, Mr. Johnny Sy during the IAPH World Ports Conference this week in Vancouver, Canada.

Solomon Ports Wins Historic Top International Award

Solomon Ports has the won the ‘International Association of Ports Habours’ Sustainability Awards 2022 in Vancouver, Canada this week on Wednesday 17th at the IAPH World Ports Conference.
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is supporting CSSI with radio programmes and technical support to further the application of services in line with the Mandela Rules.

Rehabilitation and Reintegration of Released Prisoners Requires a Whole of Society Approach

The Correctional Service of Solomon Islands (CSSI) has embarked on a revitalized campaign to promote and raise awareness on the importance of giving released prisoners a ‘second chance in life’
The CT scan and the building that houses the machine is wholly funded by the national government at a value of SBD$21 million.

Sogavare Launches Country's First CT Scan Facility

Prime Minister Hon. Manasseh Sogavare has expressed his overwhelming joy to officiate the launching of the country’s own Computed Tomography (CT) scanner some 40 years after the nation’s Political independence.
Superintendent Sevoa said the alleged sorcery act resulted in a violent retaliation by relatives of the alleged victims.

Police Investigates Sorcery Related Revenge Killing

Officers of the Royal Solomon Island Police Force (RSIPF) at Tetere and Henderson Police Station are investigating a murder incident that happened at Bulokalai village in Aola area, East Central Guadalcanal on 10 May 2022.
Maka’a said the opening of the Pakera buying center will no doubt trigger other commercial developments in the Province, which will eventually improve the livelihood and wellbeing of his people.

Makira-Ulawa Farmers Delighted With Opening of CEMA's Buying Centre

Makira-Ulawa farmers have welcomed the opening of the Province’s main Commodities Export Marketing Authority (CEMA) buying center at Pakera in Central Makira last week.
“I ask that officers using the facilities to look after it and make use of it as a token of appreciation from the Australian government through both RSIPF/RAPPP partnership," Police Commissioner Mangau said.

Naha Police Station Refurbished and Reopened

Officers of the Royal Solomon Island Police Force (RSIPF) at Naha Police Station will now have better working conditions when attending to their duties following the completion and handing over of the refurbished Police Station in East Honiara today.
“The new design, to be overseen by SIPA and implemented by SIIP, will ensure Noro can meet the future shipping needs of Solomon Islands for many years to come," SIPA CEO Eranda Kotelawala said.

Australia Supports Upgrade of Noro Port

Australia’s flagship Solomon Islands Infrastructure Program (SIIP) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Solomon Islands Ports Authority (SIPA) in May to support the upgrade of the country’s second largest port in Noro, Western Province.
Smaller holder farmers use a digital platform to pool their produce to fill a container together for export, allowing people around the world to enjoy delicious chocolate made from premium Solomon Islands cocoa beans.

Premium Sundried Solomon Islands Cocoa Exported to the UK

A shipment of premium sundried cocoa beans is now making its way to the UK market, marking an important milestone for the Solomon Islands cocoa industry.
Prime Minister Hon. Manasseh Sogavare congratulated the New Solomon Water Chair, Mr. Donald Marahare saying discussions will continue on important matters.

SIWA Introduces New Board Chairman to Prime Minister

State Owned Enterprise, Solomon Islands Water Authority, trading under brand name Solomon Water has introduced its new board chairman Donald Marahare to Prime Minister Hon. Manasseh Sogavare.
Commander Miriki says the 64 year old male suspect was "out there fishing when he was intercepted by the PRT patrol team."

64-Year-Old Bougainvillean Arrested for Illegal Entry at Western Border

Officers of the Royal Solomon Island Police Force (RSIPF) at the Western border between Papua New Guinea (PNG) and Solomon Islands (SI) have arrested a 64 years old male person from Sirovai village, Koromira in Central Bougainville for breaching the State of Public Emergency (SoPE) that is still in force.
Australian High Commissioner H.E Dr. Lachlan Strahan presents the items to UN Women Country Program Coordinator for Solomon Islands, Alvina Erekali.

Australia Gives Timely Assistance to Munda Market Vendors

New tables, chairs, tents and wheelie bins for Munda Market, in Solomon Islands will help cater for the increase in the number of market vendors at the market since it opened for business in February this year.
The Opposition MP said the Blue economy MoU is of particular concern given China’s appalling record on fisheries and their huge fishing fleet (mostly long-line) in the Pacific Ocean.

Opposition MP Raises Concerns Over Blue Economy MOU With China

Opposition member and MP for West Makira Constituency Hon Derrick Manuari has raised his concern at the pace and capacity in which Solomon Islands are impelling MOU’s with China.
The 60-minute scenic flight operated by Solomon Airlines Twin Otter H4-SIC, took off at 9.20am from Henderson Airport flying over Central Province, across to Yandina and back along the coastline of Guadalcanal before landing again at Henderson.

18 Nurses Fly High with Solomon Airlines on International Nurses Day

Nine Solomon Islands organisations collaborated with Solomon Airlines to say ‘Tagio Tumas to our Nation’s Nurses’ on International Nurses Day.
Today we say thank you to our nurses, and acknowledge the important role they play, and continue to play, during the current COVID-19 outbreak in the country.

Today is International Nurses Day

By Jimmy Nolan
Today, 12th May 2022, is International Nurses Day. Nurses play an important part in people's general health and and well-being, but until the COVID-19 pandemic hit, nurses have not been treated with the respect they deserve.
The Health Minister says in terms of trends, Honiara is showing signs of decline while Malaita, Central and Western Province are registering upward trends.

COVID-19 Update: 1,300 New Positive Cases Reported

By Jimmy Nolan
Solomon Islands has recorded 1,300 new positive COVID-19 cases during the reporting period starting on 3rd May to 8th May 2022. The cumulative total for the country now stands at 18,174.
MEHRD has decided to consider a delayed and staggered approach to opening of ECE centres, Schools and Rural Training Centres to minimise overcrowding at schools especially in community high schools that have ECE, primary and secondary.

Schools To Resume Nationwide Starting 30th May 2022

The Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development (MEHRD) has announced the dates that Schools, Rural Training Centres and Early Childhood Centres will open.
AFP Supports Communities by Purchasing Fruits and Vegetables From Local Farmers

AFP Supports Communities by Purchasing Fruits and Vegetables From Local Farmers

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) members deployed under the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) and AFP Policing Partnership Program (RAPPP), and the Solomons’ International Assistance Force (SIAF) continue to support the local economy during the State of Emergency and COVID19 community transmission.
“The snap operation raid was successfully done with the assistance and support from the concerned elders, leaders and Chiefs in the community," Superintendent Jimson Robo said.

Police Raid Kwaso and Marijuana Hub at Karaina

Officers of the Royal Solomon Island Police Force (RSIPF) and Royal Papua New Guinea Police Constabulary (RPNGC) have raided a homebrew (kwaso) and marijuana hub at Karaina settlement.
Of the 560 positive COVID-19 cases 366 cases were recorded in Honiara.

560 New COVID-19 Cases Recorded

By Jimmy Nolan
Over the past 96 hours starting from April 29th 2022 to May 2nd 2022 the country has recorded an additional 560 new cases of COVID-19. The cumulative total for the country now stands at 16,441.
"The project will significantly improve the continuity and quality of our water supply to Honiara residents and businesses without interruption," Solomon Water CEO Ian Gooden said.

New Water Project to Improve Quality and Continuity of Water Supply in Honiara

Solomon Water has awarded a $130m contract for the construction of its new Kongulai Water Treatment Plant and pipeline Project (Bid No. SW0402021) to REAN PCS Joint Venture.
The project, which is also being supported by the governments of Australia and New Zealand, is seen as transformative for Solomon Islands. Malaita Province in particular, where Bina Harbor is located, stands to benefit from a range of economic and employment opportunities.

Transformative Project to Deliver Thousands of Jobs and Economic Security for Solomon Islands

More than 5,500 jobs are set to be created with the construction of a major tuna processing plant in Solomon Islands that will provide economic security for the Pacific Islands nation and its people into the future.
"As you can see from this operation, we will operate in this space all year if we have to. Friday's joint operation with the AFP is only phase one, which is a shut-down and warning phase. We encourage people not to conduct illegal street gambling and congregate in numbers," PPC Superintendent Jimson Robo said.

Police Crackdown on Illegal Street Gamblers

Central Police Operations Support Team of the Royal Solomon Island Police Force (RSIPF) with the assistance of the Australian Federal Police (AFP) uniform patrols conducted an anti-gambling operation shutting-down Illegal Street gambling in areas of White River to Town Ground and Mission Place (Point Cruz) on 29 April 2022.
Mrs. Pauline McNeil, Health Permanent Secretary and Mr. Hiraoka Hisakazu, Leader of the Preparatory Survey Team and other representatives from JICA. Dr Rex Maukera, Provincial Health Director, Malaita Province was also part of the discussions.

Japan Signs Documents For Kilu’ufi Hospital Project

Discussion minutes on the preparatory survey for the Project for construction of Kilu’ufi Hospital was signed last week by Mrs. Pauline McNeil, Health Permanent Secretary and Mr. Hiraoka Hisakazu, Leader of the Preparatory Survey Team, JICA.
Director of Fisheries Edward Honiwala said sustainable management of the country’s Tuna stock is necessary in view of the global demand for Tuna fisheries, which is one of the revenue earners for the country.

Fisheries Ministry Says It Is Committed to the Sustainable Development of Tuna

As Solomon Islands joins the world to celebrate World Tuna Day on May 2, the Government through the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR) reassures its commitments to the sustainable development and management of tuna fisheries in collaboration with other regional and international stakeholders.
Volunteers at the wharf helping out with swabbing and COVID-19 testing using RAT kits for arriving passengers from the provinces.

World Bank Increases its COVID-19 Assistance to Solomon Islands

Additional US$8 million to provide immediate support to COVID-19 emergency response, vaccine access and health system strengthening.

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