Economy Archive October 2020

Following the completion of the screening process, the recipients whose applications are approved will be contacted in the coming days.

ESP Update: Fisheries, Tourism Applications Cleared

First round of assessment of all applications towards the Economic Stimulus Package under Fisheries and Tourism sector have completed the entire screening process this week.
He says the protest will continue until the government agrees to set a date for payment of the outstanding allowances.

Nurses Stage Sit in Protest

Nurses at the National Referral Hospital are currently staging a sit in protest outside the outpatient and car park area.
To vote in the awards, visit www.divemagazine.co.uk/travel and go to ‘Dive Travel Awards 2020’.

Solomon Islands Competes for Top 10 Global Ranking as a Diving Destination

With just three days to go before voting closes in one of the global dive industry’s most contested awards, Solomon Islands is ranking highly among global contenders for recognition as one of the best diving destinations in the world.
"So, when the two big projects start to run, we will start to inject finance into the economy to regenerate the economy, employment and moving things along”, Rodgers says.

Essential Workers for Development Projects a Priority: SPM

By Georgina Kekea
The government is working hard to bring in essential workers for the Tina Hydro Project and the Airport Project.
Mr Alan McNeil was sworn in as Solomon Islands’ Commissioner of Lands on Thursday 22nd October 2020.

SICCI Congratulates McNeil on Appointment as Commissioner of Lands

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Natalina Hong on behalf of the Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SICCI) Board and its members congratulate Mr Alan McNeil on his official appointment as the Commissioner of Lands within the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Survey.
Luciana says many families in her village received assistance for housing, including other small projects, but she has been left out.

What About Us?

By Jimmy Nolan
86-year-old Luciana Lighoti has been living in the same leafy patched house for most of her adult life.
Rodgers told journalists in a press conference that the low risk countries are in the list for repatriation once the suspension is lifted.

Taiwan Based Students Await Next Flight

By Georgina Kekea
Solomon Islanders studying in Taiwan who have missed the recent flight from Auckland will await the next repatriation flight from Auckland.
Recent assessments have offered some insight into the mental health of those in quarantine, and the need to ensure that early mental health symptoms are picked up.

Mental Health of Those in Quarantine a Concern

By Georgina Kekea
As weeks turn to months the mental health of those in quarantine has become a concern.
Meanwhile, the Prime Minister has also announced that the government has deployed the Correctional Services of Solomon Islands to assist with security at the field hospital and to complement existing security arrangements in other quarantine facilities.

Still No Lockdown: PM

There will be no lockdown despite the announcement of the country’s four new positive COVID-19 cases.
Police say the stabbing victim was with his girlfriend who is believed to be the suspect’s ex girlfriend.

Police Arrest 21-Year-Old Male for Stabbing 22-Year-Old Male in Honiara

Officers of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) at the Naha Police Station have arrested a 21-year-old boy for allegedly stabbing a 22-year-old male person at the Borderline bus stop in East Honiara on 23 October 2020.
“Our fourth case was retested and is now negative. Therefore, all our four initial positive cases are now negative,” he said.

Fourth Case Tests Negative

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has announced that the country’s fourth case has recovered and has tested negative.
Vincent and his mother Ms Matesonia arrived back in the country over the weekend.

Surgery in Canberra Save Solomon Islands Baby Born with Detached Oesophagus

Not yet two years old, Vincent Toto's life was set to end before it really began.
Minister of Agriculture and Livestock Hon. Senley Levi Filualea delivers his keynote address.

MAL Minister Calls for United Effort in Agriculture Development

Minister for the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL) Hon. Senley Levi Filualea is calling for collective efforts from stakeholders including government, private sectors and farmers towards the development of agriculture in the country.
Reports from the relevant government agencies say there were no damages to properties or lives lost.

5.5 Magnitude Earthquake Hits Makira

A shallow magnitude 5.5 earthquake was reported late last night near the town of Kirakira in Makira Ulawa Province.
(L-R) Deputy Secretary Technical of MAL Michael Ho'ota, FAO rep Jimi Saelea, MAL PS Ethel Frances and other FAO rep Nichol Nonga.

Citizens Urged to ‘Eat Healthy Food Not Rice and Noodle’

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL) Ethel Frances is urging citizens to plant and eat healthy nutritious food and not processed food.
The ESP Committee is currently finalising approvals for the remaining applications towards projects under Cocoa, Copra, Kava, and other projects under Fisheries, Tourism and Forestry sector.

ESP Update: Contract Signing, Disbursements of Funds Ongoing

Signing of letter of offers and contracts with local farmers who are among of the recipients of the Government’s Economic Stimulus Package (ESP) and its committee is currently ongoing.
These students were assessed and identified in the ‘contact tracing process’ as those that either had no exposure, or very low risk exposure, to any of the 3 positive cases.

Low Risk Students Transferred to Vimo and SA Apartment

Eighteen (18) students who were assessed to be ‘low risk’ by the Public Health Emergency Surveillance Unit have been shifted to two other government-managed Quarantine Stations (QS) over the weekend.
The NHA chairman and SPM added that the signing of the agreement outlines what we want to achieve by 2023.

NHA Chair: This is a Historic Moment

“This is a historic moment”, the Chairman of the National Hosting Authority (NHA) and Secretary to Prime Minister, Dr Jimmy Rodgers made the statement to describe the signing of the Implementation Agreement of the 2023 Pacific Games Stadium Project.
The government is now tightening its finances as the strain of COVID-19 hits hard on its pocket.

Economic Impact of COVID-19: Government Braces Itself

By Georgina Kekea
With repatriation flights set to re-start in the coming weeks, the government is bracing itself for the huge costs involved.
"The fire could have been caused by a solar power battery and inverter inside the building. But investigations will continue to confirm this or otherwise."

Police Investigates Burning of Aola Post

Officers of the Royal Solomon Island Police Force (RSIPF) at the Henderson Police Station are investigating the burning down of the Aola Police Post in East Guadalcanal on 17 October 2020.
Alice recognises that the opportunity to work in Australia under the PLS is crucial to widening her skills and experiences in order to support her family and community.

APTC Alumna Inspired to Help Elderly People

“The challenges I faced while caring for my grandfather motivated me to persevere and attain a qualification at the Australia Pacific Training Coalition (APTC),” says Alice Houtoro Tara.
Sir Dr. Kere has vast experience in the healthcare industry, both as a private doctor as well as serving in government, international NGOs, and multinational corporations. He has also served at regional and international levels.

Sir Dr. Nathan K. Kere is the New Chancellor for SINU

Sir Dr. Nathan K. Kere has accepted his appointment as Chancellor of the Solomon Islands National University (SINU) for the next two years.
“For visitors, do not come with the full family. Because of COVID-19 we do not want people coming in and moving to places they are not supposed to”, Hue says.

National Referral Hospital Still on Emergency Mode

By Georgina Kekea
The National Referral Hospital (NRH) is still operating in an emergency mode. Medical Superintendent, Dr. John Hue says they have adjusted visiting hours and made restrictions in the number of visitors to the hospital.
Theme for this year’s annual celebration is: Grow, Nourish, Sustain. Together. Our Actions are our Future.

World Food Day Commemoration

Today 16th October is the World Food Day.
Bosamata says parents should not panic but must always listen to advice provided by relevant government authorities.

MEHRD Urges School Administrators to Implement SOPs

By Georgina Kekea
The Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development (MEHRD) is urging school administrators to implement their Standard Operating Procedures (SOP).
“Drilling at the project is expected to begin by the end of October and will consist of 64 holes for approximately 1300 metres.”

Malachite Resources to Begin Drilling in Jejevo this Month

Malachite Resources (MAR) will begin drilling at the Jejevo Nickel Project in Isabel Province, Solomon Islands, this month.
It is understood more than 16,000 applications were received from rural farmers for support through the ESP.

Seaweed and Honey Farmers Set to Benefit from ESP

By Georgina Kekea
Seaweed and honey farmers are scheduled to receive support from the economic stimulus package (ESP) this week.
The SCALE programme will be delivered through five implementing Partners, which are Nathan and Associates; Social Solutions International; Green Power Tech; Winrock International; and DAI. These implementing partners will be undertaking further community consultations on the activities that the programme will support.

Government on US Aid Assistance Targeting Malaita Province

The US Department of State has recently announced new funding investments of US$200 million for the Indo Pacific as part of its Pacific Pledge. Under this umbrella of support to the Region is a US$25 million support package for the (SCALE) project in Solomon Islands.
“The sun is hot, and we have been standing here for quite some time”, Elisa says.

“Think About Us,” Rural Hospital Raises COVID-19 Measures

By Georgina Kekea
Elisa is heavily pregnant and is expecting her baby any time from now. Ellen from the Matepona area is five months pregnant, another standing next to her is six months pregnant.
Auki town in Malaita province.

Wale Urges Premier Suidani to Use USD$25M Funding Wisely

Leader of Opposition Hon. Matthew Wale congratulates USAID for the decision to prioritize Malaita Province in its allocation of USD$25 million under its SCALE programme for the Pacific.
Projects that have been approved so far are for honey, piggery and noni.

ESP Committee Approves New Batch of Applications

The Government’s Economic Stimulus Package (ESP) oversight committee has approved the next batch of applications and recipients will be contacted accordingly.
Research findings show that online violence is serious, causing real harm and silencing girls’ voices. It highlighted that in this global pandemic, when all our lives are moving online, girls are more at risk than ever.

International Day of the Girl (IDG) Campaign: Freedom Online

The Plan International Solomon Islands will organize an event to commemorate the International Day of the Girl (IDG) in Honiara today.
Aligegeo P.S.S Principal, Mr. Alick M. Tuita thanks CBSI Deputy Governor Moveni for the timely assistance to help the school.

CBSI Donates SBD$10,000 to Aligegeo Provincial Secondary School

The Central Bank of Solomon Islands has donated a sum of SBD$10,000 along with economic resources (reports) to the Aligegeo Provincial Secondary School in Auki-Malaita Province last week.
Passengers are still required to get approval from the Controller’s office to travel into PNG and must do a PCR test with negative results to be allowed to enter PNG.

Air Niugini Opens International Flights to Honiara

By Georgina Kekea
Air Niugini has now opened international flights to Honiara, Solomon Islands. Controller David Manning recently announced the new normal and relaxation in travel for Papua New Guinea.
If we look around and try to learn from other COVID-19 positive countries, one thing seems clear – complacency kills.

Our Positive COVID-19 Status

By News Desk
Solomon Islands has one confirmed case of COVID-19. People are slowly coming to grips with the fact that we are no longer COVID-19 free.
Ear-resistible – Tourism Solomons Branded Ear Saver Mask

Ear-resistible – Tourism Solomons Branded Ear Saver Mask

Tourism Solomons has come up with a novel way of keeping the destination in the minds of Australian travel agents while at the same time helping to keep them safe by giving away Tourism Solomons-branded ear savers.
The Codex Alimentarius Commission is a joint program between FAO and WHO for the development of technical standards for most foods and their manufacturing processes, and food safety.

Kava Formally Recognized as a Beverage

By Georgina Kekea
Kava is now formally recognized as a beverage.
“The patient remains asymptomatic meaning that although he has tested positive for COVID-19 he is not feeling sick or showing COVID-19 signs of fever or coughing. This is normal as there are some cases of COVID-19 who remain asymptomatic,” he said.

Health Minister Provides Update on First COVID-19 Case

Solomon Islands’ Health Minister Hon. Culwick Togamana assures that the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) is working very hard to ensure that the country’s first COVID-19 case remains contained and is limited to quarantine stations and does not lead to community spread.
The MOH says that there are also stringent safety protocols in place, ensuring the safety of front-line workers and the public at large.

Ministry of Health Clarifies Public Concerns

By Jeremy Gwao
There are concerns that those living next to quarantine centres expose themselves to the virus. This has been raised through social media, especially after the first positive case of the COVID-19.
“The situation is low risk so therefore the understanding and position that my ministry has taken is that there is no need to close the schools”, Rodie says.

Schools Continue as Normal: Dr Rodie

By Georgina Kekea
Schools in the country are expected to carry out classes as normal.
Bonriki International Airport in Kiribati, located in its capital, Tarawa.

Kiribati Repatriation Awaits Landing Permit

By Georgina Kekea
The government will repatriate Solomon Islanders in Kiribati if a landing permit is approved in Tarawa.
Local Food Vendor Encourages People to Eat Local Food

Local Food Vendor Encourages People to Eat Local Food

By Jimmy Nolan
Her day starts at 4am in the morning, the process starts, she peels the potatoes, yam, and cassava, and when available she adds taro to the menu. Fish is always a favorite with the locals – especially how she prepares it.
“Like airlines everywhere, Solomon Airlines is experiencing a seriously difficult financial situation and there is no escaping the fact that our operation will be smaller for some time to come."

Solomon Airlines Extends Suspension of International Flights Until January 2021

Solomon Airlines has today announced a further two-month extension of the suspension of all scheduled international passenger flights, to 10 January 2021.

Economy Archive

2024

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

2007