Economy Archive April 2011

Axiom Denies Reports

Axiom Mining Limited has denied claims from the Office of the Prime Minister and cabinet alleging irregularities in the issue of the Letter of Intent and the subsequent granting of a Prospecting License to Axiom KB Limited.

Government Disputes Axiom's Mine License

The Solomon Islands government has stated that the prospecting license issued to a small Australian mining company, by the former minister of mines and energy, is invalid.

Powerful Earthquake over the Weekend

A powerful earthquake struck near the Solomon Islands on Saturday afternoon, seismologists said, but no tsunami warnings were issued.

Mismanagement of Tsunami Funds: Audit Report

An Audit Report has now confirmed that there were serious mismanagement of funds and relief supplies after the devastating tsunami that struck the Western Province.

NGO Warns of Dangers of Not Involving Youths in Pacific Arts Festival

The Regional Director of a Commonwealth NGO is urging the Solomon Islands government to involve young people in the planning of next year's Pacific Arts Festival.

SPC Has Full Confidence in Solomon Islands' Ability to Host Festival

With the deadline looming, and preparations said to be behind schedule the Secretariat of the Pacific Community has thrown its full support to the Solomon Islands.

Solomons Need Own University: Opposition Leader Sikua

The Parliamentary Opposition Leader, Dr. Derek Sikua, makes a second call on the government to consider building a national university for the country.

Guadalcanal Leaders Meet Prime Minister Philip

A delegation of Guadalcanal Leaders has met Prime Minister Danny Philip in Honiara today to discuss issues of interest to both the National and Guadalcanal Provincial Governments.

Fugui Opens Regional Conference on Climate Change

The Minister for Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology Hon. John Moffat Fugui says the early development of a Climate Change Adaptation plan is crucial for the Coral Triangle Region.

Solomon's High Commissioner Admits Problems if Logging Cease

The Solomon Islands High Commissioner to Australia has admitted that the demise of the Solomons' logging industry could spark tensions among landowners and the government.

Consultations Key to PACER Plus Negotiations: Sisilo

Solomon Islands Trade Envoy Robert Sisilo says wider national consultations on the Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations (PACER) PLUS is crucial to ensure the country's position truly reflects our national development aspirations.

PACER Plus Not a Priority for Australia?

Media reports has revealed that Australia's recently launched trade policy has not featured PACER Plus in its list of "priority trade negotiations."

Isabel Focuses on Development Needs

The recently launched Isabel Provincial Government Policy Statement 2011-2015 focuses on five main development needs.

Isabel Recognizes Traditional Leaders and Churches

The Solomon Islands Isabel Province will continue to recognize and value the importance of its traditional leaders and the work of the church.

National Consultations on PACER Begins

The Solomon Islands Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade Hon. Peter Shanel Agovaka, yesterday opened a national consultation meeting on the Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations (PACER) in Honiara.

Rini Attends NAOs and RAOs Meeting in Brussels

Minister of Planning and Aid Coordination Hon. Snyder Rini was amongst the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) National and Regional Authorising Officers who successfully completed a two-day meeting in Brussels, Belgium organised by the ACP Secretariat which closed yesterday.

Westpac Offers Education Grant

In celebration of International Women's Day's 100th anniversary, Westpac Solomon Islands announced the Westpac Women's Education Grants, offering financial assistance to girls and women of Solomon Islands to help them with the cost of their education.

Solomon Islanders Want Recognition of Customary Laws

Most Solomon Islanders interviewed in the annual Solomon Islands Government-RAMSI People's Survey think customary law needs to be enshrined within national law.

Western Province Steps Up Preventive Measures

The Western provincial health authority is stepping up preventative measures against a possible spread of Cholera across the Bougainville border.

New Overseas Investor for KFPL

Minister of Finance and Treasury Hon. Gordon Darcy Lilo on Monday has signed a Memorandum of Understanding between the National Government, the Investment Corporation of Solomon Islands (ICSI) and a major Wood Manufacturing Company from Taiwan.

Our Telekom Selects Altobridge for Remote Community Expansion

KERRY TECHNOLOGY PARK, Ireland (Business Wire)Solomon Islands mobile network operator, Our Telekom, has selected the Altobridge lite-siteT as its solution of choice to bring first-time mobile connectivity to remote communities throughout the Solomon Islands.

National Consultations on Pacer Plus Begins

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade is commencing an extensive series of national consultations this week on Solomon Islands' trade negotiations with Australia and New Zealand, commonly referred to as 'PACER Plus'.

No More Expansion: Guadalcanal Province

The Guadalcanal Province says that Honiara town land boundaries will remain within the current boundary and no further expansion should be accepted by the authorities.

Doctor Abandons US Patent Application

The Network of the Indigenous Peoples-Solomons, NIPS, welcomes the abandonment of a US patent application that uses genetic samples from Solomon Islanders, in a case that raises major ethical questions.

Survey Shows Concerns over Misuse of Power

An independent survey of about five thousand Solomon Islanders has found much support remains for the regional assistance mission or RAMSI. However, there are serious concerns about government accountability, particularly with regards to how they discharge powers vested in them by the country's Constitution.

Survey Shows Serious Offences Down, Petty Crime Up

A survey in Solomon Islands shows petty crime remains a significant problem but the number of serious offences is down.

Government Soon to Roll out Rural Internet

The government is soon to rollout satellite broadband internet access to rural centres in Solomon Islands to improve government service delivery in remote areas of the country.

Australia Committed to a Healthier Solomon Islands

Australian High Commissioner, His Excellency Mr Frank Ingruber, today reaffirmed Australia's support for a healthy Solomon Islands.

Sumitomo Moving Ahead with Prospecting Plans

Sumitomo Metal Mining company says that they are not deterred, despite recent media reports that a little known company in Australia called Axiom is pushing for a prospecting license for Isabel.

Australia Assists Vella la Vella Community with Water Tanks

Australian Deputy High Commissioner, Ms Alison Duncan, has officially presented six water tanks to Maravari and Buleana villages in Vella la Vella.

Apaniai Appointed New High Court Judge

A new High Court Judge, Justice James Apaniai was welcomed by members of the Judiciary and guests yesterday morning.

Former MP Charged with Fraud

Fraud Detectives from the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force have arrested and charged a former Member of Parliament for Makira Ulawa Province.

Police Investigate Fatal Hit and Run Incident

Investigators from Police Traffic Centre with the assistance of Police Forensic officers are investigating a hit and run incident at Ranadi near the Marine School which resulted in the death of a woman over the weekend.

Illegal Fishing Cost Country Millions

With the recent detention of yet another fishing vessel, those familiar with the industry says that it is time the country does more to curb such illegal practice.

Land Reform Unit will keep Solomon Islanders informed: Nori

A consultant to the Customary Land Reform Unit in Solomon Islands, Andrew Nori, has said the outcome of research into rules of custom that apply to land tenure will allow people to read and understand the rules.

Rooms for Improvement in Use of Donor Funds: Sogavare

Member of Parliament for East Choiseul and Opposition MP, Hon. Manasseh Sogavare, said there are rooms for improvement on how donor funds are used and controlled.

Solomon's Ready to Trade with MSG: PM

Prime Minister Danny Philip has said that Solomon Islands are ready to trade with other Melanesian Spearhead Group members under the revised MSG Trade Agreement.