Economy Archive June 2022

Scabies is endemic in the Solomon Islands and according to last year’s survey conducted in 10 villages in all the province, the prevalence rate for scabies is as high as 72 percent.

Health Launches Mass Drug Distribution Campaign Against Yaws and Scabies

The Ministry of Health is preparing a mass drug distribution campaign targeting scabies and yaws at the community level.
Borders are open, fun times for those that choose the Solomon Islands as their next travel destination.

Solomon Islands Opens its Borders Today!

It’s been a long time coming, but our borders are now officially open today.
“With the training, I want to acknowledge the timely response from the Australian Defense Force (ADF) in terms of training needs. We look forward to ADF ongoing engagement with the RSIPF EOD Unit," said EOD Inspector Clifford Tunuki.

Twelve Explosives Specialists Graduate with Assistance from Australian Defense Force (ADF)

The Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Unit has graduated 12 officers after completing level 2 of the International Mine Action Standard (IMAS) course requirements as specialist operators at the EOD facility, East of Honiara.
The province has a rich culture and history being the home for the pre-colonial capital of Solomon Islands, Tulagi, and a major stage for the fierce and bloody battles fought during WWII.

Central Islands Province Celebrates Second Appointed Day

Central Islands Province was the first province in the Solomon Islands to achieve self-administration on 29 June 1981, this would be their 41st anniversary!
MID Permanent Secretary Mr. Maesiola and Temotu Provincial Secretary Allan Agassi with the purchase agreement.

MID and Temotu Province Sign SBD$5m Ship Project

The National Government through the Ministry of Infrastructure Development (MID) and the Temotu Provincial Government signed an agreement to purchase a ship worth SB$5 million for the Province.
The English class program is fully funded under RAPPP and will see the Islands Bible Ministries providing English Classes designed to strengthen the English competency skills of the RSIPF new and future recruits.

AFP Supports Delivery of English Classes to RSIPF

The Australian Federal Police (AFP), through the RSIPF-AFP Policing Partnership Program (RAPPP), has entered into an agreement with the Islands Bible Ministries for the delivery of English Classes to the RSIPF recruits.
The Health ministry says numerous submissions of COVID-19 vaccination cards for the yellow cards, only a day before travel, causing great inconveniences to their staff that deal with the verification process.

International Travelers Must Apply for WHO Yellow Card One Week Before Travel

The Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) is calling on all outward bound international travelers to apply at least one week before their departure time for the WHO Yellow card.
Dive sites in the Solomon Islands are wonderfully accessible, with the majority of sites located close to shore with just a few requiring a long journey out on a boat.

Quarantine-free Solomon Islands to Fully Reopen Border on 01 July

After more than 800 days, the Solomon Islands will reopen its border on 01 July with all existing quarantine requirements to be immediately discontinued.
“We also look forward to continuing our work with our travel industry partners as well as Tourism Solomons to ensure Solomon Islands is indelibly placed on the world map as an attractive and accessible international destination,” Gebers said.

Solomon Airlines Welcomes Plans to Reduce Quarantine Requirements for Inbound Passengers

Solomon Airlines has welcomed the news that mandatory quarantine requirements for inbound visitors will be reduced shortly.
The actual date for the official handing over and opening will be announced soon.

Afio Area Health Centre in Malaita Ready for Handover

In just a few weeks’ time, thousands of people within the catchment area of what used to be Afio clinic will now have ease of access to an improved and expanded range of health services that the new Afio Area Health Centre will offer.
Premier Suidani assured the visiting team that his government will continue to work closely with the PPC office and his team to make sure Malaita Province is a safe home for his people.

Deputy Police Commissioner Meets with Malaita Premier

Deputy Commissioner (DC) Operation Ms. Juanita Matanga, as part of her provincial tour to Malaita Province, has made a courtesy visit to the Premier of Malaita Province Hon. Daniel Suidani.
Nila ACH Manager Moses Lamana (left) and NRH Biomedical Engineer Douglas Rerese (right) looking at the Benchtop Sterilizer.

Health Boost Capacity at the Western Border Ahead of Border Reopening

The Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) have sent an infrastructure manager, a biomedical officer and two environmental health officers to the Western border.
The Gasini market house project is an investment worth more than $300,000 and once opened will provide a clean, safe and spacious area for constituents at Gasini and surrounding communities within the Marovo constituency to sell their produce.

Major Marovo Projects Set to Launch

A number of government delegates have now arrived in Marovo ahead of the major launching of the Marovo Constituency livelihood projects on Tuesday 28th June 2022.
Leader of Opposition Hon. Matthew Wale is backing such calls, stating that the government should facilitate the waiver of school fees for the remainder of the 2022 academic year for all affected schools.

Parents Call on Education Authorities to Waive School Fees

While students are excited to be returning to school parents are calling on education authorities to either waive school fees or re-look at the fees being charged for the remainder of the year.
Pro-Vice Chancellor Corporate (PVCC) of SINU, Mr. Shadrach Fanega presents Chupu to Guadalcanal Premier Hon. Francis Sade. The short Chupu presentation was also attended by the Guadalcanal Province’s Minister of Women, Youths and Sports, Hon. Rose Tala.

SINU Holds Chupu Ceremony With Guadalcanal Province

Premier of Guadalcanal Province, Hon.Francis Sade, has attended a low key chupu presentation program at the Local Fusion Cafe, Solomon Islands National University (SINU) campus, today morning.
Sisiolo says that as many as 3800 Solomon Islands public servants will continue to rely on the existing Public Service Rental Scheme (PSRS) going forward.

Public Service Looking to Maintain Current Rental Arrangements

The Ministry of Public Service says it may consider maintaining current rental arrangements for government employees with a Cabinet paper being prepared for this.
High Commissioner Jonathan Schwass with Director Tourism and PS Finance.

New Zealand Supports Tourism With SBD$2.8m Grant

With Solomon Islands’ borders reopening soon, Aotearoa New Zealand is pleased to support the country’s tourism sector following the recent signing of a funding arrangement of NZD$550,000 (SBD2.8m) between New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism (MCT), and the Ministry of Finance and Treasury (MoFT).
Dentist Dr William Hatingongo attending to a patient with the donated dental chair and equipment.

New Dental Equipment for NRH

The National Referral Hospital (NRH) Dental Services Department is once again grateful for donated dental equipment from the Ararat Private Dental Practice and Balarrat Rotary, Victoria Australia.
“As we move towards a more digitized community, access to energy remains crucial for both individual well-being and national economic development. The Ministry’s priority is to improve barriers standing in the way of promoting Renewable Energy in the rural areas by implementing projects such as SPIRES,” Dr. Vehe added.

Promotion of Renewable Energy & Rural Electricity Through the SPIRES Website

The Solomon Islands Government, through the Ministry of Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification, Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology, has joined forces with the UN Development Programme to develop the SPIRES project website, aiming to promote rural electricity, clean and renewable energy.
The training in Infections, Prevention and Control (IPC) guideline 2021 were facilitated for health care, medical and public health officers along the Western Border, mainly in the Shortland, Western Province, and in Choiseul province.

Health Training Rolled Out Ahead of Opening Borders

The Ministry of Health continues to further enhance Infection, Prevention, and Control (IPC) measures in health facilities along the border, ahead of the reopening of borders on the 25th of July 2022.
The Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) platform is accessible on basic mobile phones at no cost to the user and contains legal information on a range of areas including family, land and property, civil, criminal, employment, environment and succession.

Legal Information Now at Your Fingertips!

The launch of a new mobile platform by the Public Solicitor’s Office (PSO) means that over 460,000 mobile users in Solomon Islands, representing 66.3 percent of the population, will be able to access legal information at their own convenience from their own communities.
“In many rural and remote communities, the only public servant available in serving the people is a nurse. Hence, nurses have a lot of impact on health service delivery”, explained Mr. Larui, the National Director of Nursing (NDoN).

82 Graduate Nurses Commence Their Supervised Practice Program

A total of 82 nurses, which includes newly graduated nurses from the Solomon Islands National University (SINU) and Atoifi College of Nursing in Malaita Province, have commenced their twelve (12) months Supervised Practice Program (internship) as of today.
“I encourage parents, partners and relatives to look out for signs that might indicate such actions to prevent such sad incidents from happening,” says PPC Lenialu.

Police Investigate Death of Adult Female

Officers of the Royal Solomon Island Police Force (RSIPF) at Munda in Western Province are investigating the death of a female adult who was discovered hanging from a rope tied around her neck.
Over 40 representatives from nine provinces including the electoral, development, and human rights sectors gathered together to identify practical activities which can be undertaken to contribute to enhancing women’s leadership and political representation in the country.

Women’s Leadership and Equal Participation - Key for Positive Change

The UN Development Programme (UNDP) joins hands with the Solomon Islands Government and the Australian Government to organize a four-day Outstanding Women Training and Planning Workshop.
Guests at the handing over of the vehicle, tools and resources to Divit Training Centre.

Australia Supports Divit Rural Training Centre With New Vehicle and Resources

Through the Australia Pacific Training Coalition (APTC), Australia has provided Divit Rural Training Centre (RTC) with a new vehicle and tools and resources to strengthen its training delivery.
The resumption of service would give US travelers better access to Solomon Islands via Fiji Airways direct Los Angeles - Nadi - Honiara services.

Tourism Solomons Welcomes Fiji Airways Announcement

Tourism Solomons has welcomed the resumption of Fiji Airways flight between the Solomon Islands and Fiji from 02 July 2022, seeing the move as a major step towards the country re-joining the world after more than two-years border closure.
Representatives from the media and (L-R) SIIP Program Manager Kezia Dorazio, AHC Ag First Secretary Infrastructure, Rebecca Lane, SIIP SC co-chair and Australian High Commissioner Dr Lachlan Strahan, SIIP Infrastructure Lead Tony Telford, AHC Counsellor Economic Alison Purnell and AHC Senior Program Manager Infrastructure Eric Lui.

Australia Speaks to Media on SBD$1.5 Billion Infrastructure Partnership with Solomon Islands

Secretary to the Prime Minister, Dr Jimmie Rodgers, and Australian High Commissioner, Dr Lachlan Strahan, spoke to the media yesterday about the Solomon Islands Infrastructure Program (SIIP) – Australia’s flagship 10-year SBD1.5 billion partnership with Solomon Islands.
Ms. Ukebule said in line with the existing traditional border framework, multi law enforcement agencies will look after the border communities to ensure communities and border relationships are maintained.

Solomon Islands Police Prepare for Reopening of Borders on 1st July

As part of the preparation for border reopening on 1 July 2022, the officers of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) have gone through a brief training conducted by Solomon Island Immigration and Australian Border Force (ABF) at Kulitanai Police Station in the Western border between PNG and Solomon Islands recently.
The project will also support coastal fisheries through activities to ensure Pacific fishers, their families, and their communities see lasting benefits from the seafood sector into the future.

World Bank Approves New Project to Improve Solomon Islands’ Fisheries Sector

The World Bank's Board of Directors have approved a new World Bank project that will work to improve regional collaboration, national capacity and management, and the sustainable longer-term development of Solomon Islands' vital fisheries sector.
“As time progresses, we are seeing our operations gradually return, which is a relief in light of the many challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic has brought to our Provinces,” said Brett Gebers, CEO of Solomon Airlines.

Flights to Temotu Resumes This Week

Solomon Airlines has announced that regular passenger flights both to and from Temotu Province will resume this week.
The thermometers will support schools to ensure that children who enter the premises are not suffering from high body temperature and fever, one of the common symptoms of COVID-19.

Thousands of Thermometers Given to Schools to Ensure Safe Re-opening

UNICEF and the Government of New Zealand, handed over more than 4,000 infrared thermometers to the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development (MEHRD) in Solomon Islands. Funded through a Global Partnership for Education (GPE) grant, the thermometers will support the safe re-opening of all schools in the country.
The acting Prime Minister stated that the dedication and the turning of the soil on the site for the proposed university is in line with the government’s overall policy to strengthen institutional response to quality education.

Anglican Church of Melanesia Prepares to Build New University

The National Government congratulates the Anglican Church of Melanesia (ACOM) for the dedication and turning of the soil of the site for the development of the John Coleridge Patterson University at Central Guadalcanal over the weekend.
“We anticipate being in a position to expand our network further, including adding our own weekly service to Fiji as soon as the next travel advisory is released, which is expected to reduce quarantine to 3 days,” Mr Gebers said.

Solomon Airlines Plans to Add More International Destinations

National carrier plans for new schedule effective from August Solomon Airlines has confirmed the airline’s twice-weekly flights between Brisbane and Honiara will be maintained as the national carrier awaits further easing of travel restrictions to plan a broader international schedule.
The main agenda of the meeting focuses on putting an action plan by respective stakeholders and through collaborative efforts towards the development of nature-based sustainable livelihoods which are compatible with the World Heritage value.

East Rennell World Heritage Stakeholder Dialogue Held

A stakeholder consultation dialogue on East Rennell World Heritage Site organized by Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development (MEHRD) and United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) was held last week 31st May, 2022 at the Heritage Park conference centre.
The handing over was followed by basic training on the equipment and a simulation exercise to test the effectiveness of SIMS new SMS early warning system currently being developed with financial support from the AHP.

Schools in Makira Ulawa Equipped With Weather Tracking Devices

Four Schools and eight communities in Makira Ulawa Province took delivery of new Tropical Cyclone Tracking Maps and basic weather equipment’s at the provincial capital Kirakira on Wednesday 1st June 2022.
The make shift apartment belongs to a Chinese state company, China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), which won a bid to build the seven major projects for the Pacific Games, including the main stadium.

House Accommodating Pacific Games Chinese Workers Burns

The make shift apartment housing Chinese workers at the Pacific Games compound has caught fire.
Mr Damiri was able to use his savings to buy a vehicle to start a business, and planned to put some of the money he earned in a second stint working at the farm towards building a home.

Work in Australia Improves Livelihood for Young Solomon Islanders

For Junior Amos Damiri, the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme provided the opportunity to get his married life in Solomon Islands off to the right start.
Cutting the cake (L-R) - Customer Care Coordinator Lucy Habu, Solomon Water Board Chairman Donald Marahare, Solomon Water CEO Ian Gooden.

Solomon Water Opens Customer Service Centre in East Honiara

Solomon Water says it strives to provide "our customers with safe and reliable water and wastewater services and with extensive, inclusive customer support."

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