Economy Archive February 2010

Government Asked to Switch Diplomats or Loose Programme

The Government is said to have given in to a demand that the Solomon Islands High Commissioner in Canberra be removed or lose the 10 bed patients referral program between Solomon Islands and the Saint Vincent Hospital in Sydney.

Malaita Province Seeks Development Assistance from Israel

The Malaita provincial government is seeking help from the Israeli government to support the province's development plan.

Electoral Commission to Conduct Auki Awareness Day

The Solomon Islands Electoral Commission invites people in Malaita to its second public Information and Awareness Day this Saturday 27th February in Auki Town.

PNA Leaders Conclude With Historic Declaration

The historical and the first Parties to the Nauru Agreement (PNA) Presidential Summit concluded yesterday with the adoption of the Koror Declaration.

2009 People's Survey Report Released

The results of the third annual People's Survey, which documents the opinions of over 5000 Solomon Islanders on the living conditions and services throughout their country, were released yesterday.

Solomon Islander Gets Australian Bravery Award

Mr Alfred Boge, a security guard working at the Pacific Casino Hotel, was awarded a Governor-General's Commendation for Brave Conduct in the 2009 Australian Bravery Awards.

Central Province Wants to Re-establish Fishing Cannery

The Central Islands Provincial Assembly has passed a resolution for the provincial executive to find an investor to establish a fish cannery in the province by 2011.

MASI Denounces Ban on SIBC Journalist

The Media Association of Solomon Islands (MASI) today denounced an interdiction on a Radio Journalist from covering a farewell gathering hosted for the visiting New Zealand Foreign Affairs Minister last Thursday.

Telekom Says Sorry for Poor Service

Solomon Telekom Company Limited has apologized to the general public and Breeze Mobile customers for the unsatisfactory mobile service that had been experienced in recent months.

Government Seeks Korean Investor for Fisheries

The Government is well in advance into talks with a reputable Korean global fishing company to invest in a new cannery here.

Villagers Threaten to Boycott Elections

The people of North-East Guadalcanal say they plan to boycott the upcoming National Elections unless the road in their area is repaired or a new one built.

We Must Get More for Our Tuna: PM Sikua

The Prime Minister says Solomon Islands must receive maximum benefits from its tuna resources.

Ombudsman's Office Investigates State Owned Utilities

Ombudsman Joe Porowai calls on public service providers in Honiara not to fear the investigation being carried out by his office.

PM Sikua Heads to Brussels

Solomon Islands will be the first pacific country to visit the European Union after the December Climate Change Summit in Copenhagen, Denmark, last year.

Groundbreaking Held for Gizo Hospital

Construction of the new Japanese-funded Gizo hospital facility is ready to begin after a groundbreaking ceremony in the Western Provincial capital on Friday.

High Court Dismisses RIPEL Appeal

The High Court has dismissed the appeal of the Russell Islands Plantation Estates Limited, RIPEL, against the Solomon Islands National Union of Workers, SINUW.

Police Destroys WW2 Torpedo

The Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RISPF) EOD team successfully destroyed a WW2 naval torpedo early this week, discovered dangerously close to Veuru village on West Guadalcanal.

State Will Intervene to Broaden Economic Base: OUR Party

OUR Party has pledged to direct public investment in tourism, agriculture, and fisheries to support the efforts of the private sector under a reformed fiscal strategy.

Solomon Islands Included in Earthquake Study

Geologists from New Zealand based Geologists and Nuclear Sciences, GNS, will in the next six months visit Solomon Islands and five other Pacific countries to collect data in an earthquake study in the region.

Fono to Officiate Gizo Hospital Ground Breaking Ceremony

Deputy Prime Minister Fred Fono will officiate at the new Gizo hospital ground breaking ceremony tomorrow.

EU Provides Funding to Advance Human Rights and Democracy

The European Union has launched and allocated new funding to various Civil Society groups in Solomon Islands.

New Zealand Foreign Minister Arrives Today

New Zealand Foreign Minister Murray McCully arrives in Honiara today for a two-day visit.

Temotu Strongly Endorses Integrity Bill

Leaders and People of Temotu Province have demanded members of the current parliament to pass the Political Parties (Registration and Administration) Bill and the Constitutional Amendment Bill without any form of obstruction.

TSI Makes Submission to PEC Calling for Restraint

Transparency Solomon Islands (TSI) provided a submission on the 2008 and 2009 Parliamentary Entitlements Regulations (PER) to the Parliamentary Entitlements Commission (PEC) on Tuesday last week followed by a verbal presentation on Friday.

USP Students Flight Deferred

Solomon Islands Government-Sponsored students studying at the University of the South Pacific (USP) in Suva are still in Honiara after their flights, planned for the weekend was delayed.

Land Tenure Report a Significant Find: Waiwori

The Commission of Inquiry into land dealings on Guadalcanal has acknowledged the significance of a 57 year old report on land tenure system in Solomon Islands.

Guadalcanal MPs Not Serious About Federalism: Babaua

Participants at a recent three day conference on Federal Constitution are unhappy with the absence of Guadalcanal's eight Parliamentarians.

Young Man Found Dead at Panatina Oval

A young man, believed to be from Temotu Province, was found dead at the Panatina Sports Oval, East of Honiara, yesterday morning.

Relief Funds for Earthquake Victims in Solomon Islands

The Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat has paid FJ$20,000.00 from the Regional Natural Disaster Relief Fund to the victims of a series of earthquakes which struck the Western Province of Solomon Islands on 4th January 2010.

New Sponsorship Arrangement for SICHE School of Education

The Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development (MEHRD) will be implementing its cost sharing scholarship arrangement with students receiving in-country awards at the SICHE School of Education and the USP (SI Campus) starting this year 2010.

Former Governor of Solomon Islands Central Bank Says Pacific "Hooked" on Aid

A United Nations conference that's attracted more than 200 government ministers and high level delegates from across the Pacific to Vanuatu this week has been told that the region is "hooked" on aid.

Victorian Deputy Police Commissioner Visits Honiara

Victoria Police Deputy Commissioner Keiran Walshe concluded a four day visit to the Solomon Islands by taking part in the official inspection of RSIPF officers at Parade yesterday. It was followed up with a visit to Honiara City Police Station.

Australia Gifts Medical Equipment to Kilu'ufi Hospital

Australian High Commissioner, HE Mr Frank Ingruber meet with Dr. Rajiv Gupta, Director, Kilu'ufi Hospital and Mr Walter Baekalia, Malaita Provincial Liaison Officer - Honiara yesterday and handed over a gift of medical equipment for the Kilu'ufi Hospital.

Calls to Address Youth Unemployment

The public is once again putting pressure on responsible authorities to address escalating youth unemployment, said to be linked to rising crime rate in the capital.

Parliament Finalises Last Meet

The national parliament will resume for its last meeting 11th March 2010.

Big Drop in Malaria Cases for Temotu

Temotu Province has recorded a big drop in Malaria cases for 2009.

Slow Reform and Rehabilitation Amounts to Slow Copra Production

The government says little attention by stakeholders to the copra industry is resulting in the slow rate of reform and rehabilitation of the industry in Solomon Islands.

PM Sikua Expresses Deep Appreciation in Favour of Taiwan Funded Complex

Prime Minister Dr Derek Sikua today articulates his deepest appreciation for the Government of the Republic of China (Taiwan) for funding a new multi-million dollar Office Complex for members of parliament in Solomon Islands.

Conservation Association Wants Stop to Logging

The Kolombangara Island Biodiversity Conservation Association, is rallying support from around Kolombangara Island in the Western province, campaigning to end all logging operations on the Island.

New Police Barracks a Step Closer

New houses for Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) officers became a step closer today, following the announcement that tenders are now being sought for the construction of 84 new police houses.

PNG Paper Critical of Diplomat

A Papua New Guinea newspaper has published an editorial criticising the PNG High Commissioner to Solomon Islands, H.E Aiwa Olmi, for his handling of a traffic accident by his deputy, Peter Mirino.

Police Charge Fraudster

Police have charged a 28 year old man from Kiu village, West Are'are in Malaita province, for allegedly defrauding the Community Sector Programs Auki Road Maintenance account with one of the commercial banks.

Solomon Islands and Portugal Establishes Bilateral Cooperation

Solomon Islands and Portugal have recently established bilateral cooperation for development between the two countries.

Police Arrest Two Persons In Relation to Prostitution

Police say they have arrested and charged two persons yesterday in relation to prostitution carried out in the country.

Alleged Misuse of Solomons Trusts Ruining Reputation

The Solomon Islands Bar Association has called for new laws on trust accounts.

SIWA Clamps Down on Illegal Users

The Solomon Islands Water Authority, SIWA, has launched its operation to crack down on illegal users.

Students Claim Inconsistencies in Selection for Scholarship Awards

A total of 153 unplaced pre-service students are calling for explanations from the Ministry of Education over what they claim to be inconsistencies in the selection and awarding of scholarships for 2010.

Diplomat's Accident A Concern: TSI

Transparency Solomon Islands says the recent accident involving deputy PNG high commissioner and his wife is not a big issue to the anti-corruption body.

Police Seize Foreign Fishing Vessels

The Royal Solomon Islands Police Patrol Boat Auki has intercepted and seized two Foreign Long-Line Fishing vessels that were allegedly fishing without license in Solomon Islands' territorial waters on Saturday 30 January 2010.

Foreign Affairs Office Awaits Traffic Accident Report

Papua New Guinea's High Commissioner to Solomon Islands Aiwa Olmi says the accident early Saturday morning involving his Deputy High Commissioner and his wife would be looked at once a report comes to hand.

Anti-Money Laundering Commission to Meet Stakeholders

The Anti-Money Laundering Commission will be reviewing the Money Laundering and Proceed of Crime Amendment Bill with stakeholders starting tomorrow.

Constituency Boundaries Commission Hands in Report

The long awaited Constituency Boundaries Commission report has been handed to the Minister for Home Affairs, Hon. James Tora, on Friday.