Economy Archive May 2007

2006 Riots Commission Proceeds Despite Setbacks

Chairman of the Commission, Brian Brunton, revealed this yesterday at the Commission's first public hearing.

Committee prepares for Independence Anniversary

The Committee, comprised of officers from various government departments, is headed by the Under Secretary of the Department of Home Affairs Solomon Palusi.

Forum Representative to Solomon Islands appointed

A source from within the Forum Secretariat in Suva has confirmed to PACNEWS that Dr Lesi Korovavala will soon be appointed as the Forum's representative to the Solomon Islands.

UNESCO's unpaid bill upsets MASI Secretariat

United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has left the country without settling its bill as a co-sponsor for one of the PINA workshop venue.

Medias; builders of Pacific economy: Hughes

Tony Hughes in a keynote address to the PINA delegations who were in the country last week, expressed the difficulties faced by the media.

Growing inequality in the Pacific a worry: Hughes

In his address to PINA delegates, former governor of the Central Bank of Solomon Islands stated that inequality in the Pacific has grown to an extent that it must be reversed.

ADB assists in emergency project

The Solomon Islands Government, with the assistance of the Asian Development Bank, have agreed on an Emergency Assistance Project for the rehabilitation of damaged infrastructure.

Fishing agreement with New Zealand

New Zealand and the Solomon Islands reached an agreement in Wellington on Tuesday with regards to fisheries.

Urwin on Pacific Plan

Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum Greg Urwin says the initiatives under the Pacific plan are now being implemented.

University of Papua New Guinea to have a Honiara centre

The University of Papua New Guinea, UPNG, will run a UPNG open college in Honiara beginning in July this year.

600 litres of Kwaso confiscated by police

The largest fermented locally brewed alcohol "Kwaso" on record was confiscated by the police over the weekend.

Solomon Star celebrates bi-centennial anniversary

Solomon Star, a daily newspaper in the Solomon Islands, celebrated its 25th anniversary last Friday May 25th.

Church of Melanesia to set up own University

The Church of Melanesia is planning to set up its own university in the Solomon Islands.

Media freedom honour given to Tongan Newspaperman

Tongan pro-democracy newspaper editor Tavake Fusimalohi has been honoured with the 2007 Pacific Media Freedom Award.

New PINA board elected

General Manager of the National Broadcasting Commission of Papua New Guinea, Joseph Eladona is the new president, and Jonas Culwick of Vanuatu the vice president.

36,588 people affected by tsunami disaster

The National Disaster Management Office Program Officer Julian Maka'a stated that at least 36,588 people were affected by the tsunami disaster.

Chinatown re-development plan approved

The rebuilding of Chinatown will soon commence after the Minister of Lands, Reverend Leslie Boseto had approved the re-development plan.

Professional economic journalism needed: Hughes

Tony Hughes stated in his key note address to PINA delegates that the media's impact on developing economies is not effective as it should be.

ANZ paves the way with solar powered banking

The Acting Prime Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo revealed to PINA delegates that ANZ has won the tender to provide rural banking to the main provincial centers in the country.

Economic base needs to be broadened: Lilo

The Acting Prime Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo highlighted some of the progress made to government's economic reform during the opening of the PINA convention today morning.

Logging exceeds sustainable levels

The International Monetary Fund has issued a warning that the current rate of logging in Solomon Islands is expected to exceed sustainable levels this year.

PINA convention opens today

The Solomon Islands Acting Prime Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo, will today open the Pacific Islands News Association convention in Honiara.

Hughes to give keynote address during PINA convention

Tony Hughes will give the keynote address at the Pacific Islands News Association, PINA convention in Honiara.

Rental boom may burst one day

The deputy Governor of CBSI, Denton Rarawa has told budding journalists who attended a workshop on economic reporting that journalist do have a role in warning citizens of economic impacts.

Solomon Islands Foreign Reserves continue to rise

Solomon Islands' foreign reserves rose to SBD$902 million by mid may 2007 from SBD$790 million at the end of 2006.

Liquor Licensing Squad targets illegal outlets

The Liquor Licensing Squad conducted a series of operations over the weekend that resulted in arrests and the seizure of illegal alcohol.

4 year old killed in traffic accident

A four year old girl was killed and three others seriously injured after an accident mid-day yesterday at Guso Point on the Kukum Highway.

Government records SBD$ 39-million surplus last year

Deputy Governor of Central Bank Denton Rarawa released these figures yesterday when presenting a paper on the economic performance of the country.

Growth rates up 6%

Forecasts by the Asian Development Bank put the Solomon Islands growth rates at six per cent.

Government gives SBD$3.93 Million in tithes to churches

The Cabinet has formally announced the initial payments of tithes to the Churches. This was revealed to journalists by the Acting Prime Minister Mr. Gordon Lilo during a press conference.

PINA Convention starts today

The official opening of training workshops by Pacific Islands New Association PINA and the Media Association of Solomon Islands will begin today at the Honiara Hotel.

Ranongga reportedly missing out on relief supplies

Whilst aid money keeps pouring into the country for victims of the tsunami disaster, people in Ranongga Island, Western Province are claiming to be in desperate need for relief assistance.

Brunei donates US$50,000 towards post tsunami relief

Brunei is the latest country to donate funds towards the Solomon Islands National Disaster Relief Fund following the April earthquake and tsunami.

Preparations for National Trade Show underway

Chairman of the Small and Medium Enterprise Council, SMEC, Michael Maena says his committee is working around the clock to ensure deadlines are met.

Solomon Islands hosts PINA conference

Media managers and personnel from around the Pacific region will convene in Honiara next week for a week long Conference.

60 percent of water collected by SIWA gone to waste

It is estimated that 60 percent of water pumped by Solomon Islands Water Authority have gone to waste or has not been paid for.

Commissioners begin dialogue with community

Commissioners of the April 2006 riots will commence community interaction Tuesday next week.

Fiji Company wants Soltai Trade Mark

A company incorporated in Fiji Islands have applied to be the registered proprietor of the Soltai Trade Mark.

New Zealand Aid to Solomon Islands up NZD$12.8 million

The Solomon Islands will stand to benefit from an increase in aid of NZD$12.8 million from New Zealnd.

SISA raises SBD$80,000 for tsunami rehabilitation

SBD$80-thousand dollars was raised recently by the Solomon Islands students association of USP, Fiji.

Auki to host 2007 trade and cultural show

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce, Jeffery Wickham, has announced that this year's National Trade and Cultural Show will be hosted in Auki, Malaita province in July.

Pedestrian killed in 'freak' accident

The cruel suddenness of the death of a mother yesterday afternoon has left Naha Heights residents in shock.

Visitors Bureau launches campaign through the BBC

The Solomon Islands Visitors Bureau has launched its first major advertising campaign through the BBC's 24-hour international news and information channel.

Billions lost annually in tuna industry

The Prime Minister has revealed that the country is loosing an average of two billion dollars annually in the tuna industry .

Isabel for West and Choiseul raise SBD$ 48,000

An estimated SBD$ 48,000 was raised on Saturday's fundraising drive at the National Art Gallery organised by the Isabel for West and Choiseul committee.

Bus robbery at Borderline

Four drunken passengers in a bus attacked the bus conductor on Sunday 6th at around 6 pm and took away the money bag that contained the day's taking.

RIPEL workers want Government intervention

Having dragged on for three years the indigenous Russell Islanders and landowners want to see an end to the dispute.

'Operation sunset' targets drivers

The police are warning the public that they will be on the roads monitoring activities.

Landowners demand payments

The Central Provincial government has been given fourteen clear days by the landowners of the Maleali water source.

Taxi rates up by $1.00

The current rise in petrol and diesel prices in the country is sure to hit the country hard. Already Taxi owners are contemplating increasing fares to $6.00 per kilometer.

Mark Corcoran heads Bank of South Pacific

Mark Corcoran is the new general manager of the Bank of South Pacific (BSP). Mr. Corcoran replaces Peter Goodwin, the former manager of the Bank , prior to its acquisition.

Quan unhappy over remission granting

The Government has been accused of playing double standards over its decision to grant goods tax remission to those that lost properties during the recent tsunami.