Economy Archive March 2009

Government is confident that it will bring about fundamental changes to the current political landscape, to ensure that there is greater stability in the future.

The Government today has announced a boost in foreign investment, two years after the Foreign Investment Act 2005 came into force.

Royal Solomon Islands Police Forensic unit and National Investigation unit officers in Honiara are investigating the accidental death of a four year old boy late yesterday afternoon at Burns Creek area.

Solomon Islands Visitors Bureau (SIVB) is confident that the country's tourism industry will weather the challenges of the current economic crisis and looming recession.

Minister for Communication and Aviation Varian Lonamei has said the Government is encouraging competition in the aviation industry to improve international air links to Solomon Islands.

New Zealand's Peter Marshall has been appointed as Solomon Islands' new Police Commissioner.

RAMSI's new Special Coordinator, Graeme Wilson, launched his program of provincial consultations with a visit to Auki, Malaita Province, last week.

A man in his late twenties was today charged for punching Hon. Johnson Koli in the face as he walked out of the parliament recently.

Since August 2000 the Makira weather station in the Makira-Ulawa Province was closed due to land disputes at its current location.

The Solomon Islands Government is moving on to establish economic cooperation with four Asian Nations.

The Australian High Commission is pleased to announce its support for the Mage Kindergarten and Sulagwalu Water Projects through the Direct Aid Program (DAP).

Land owners of the eastern side of Guadalcanal are planning to set up a road block, frustrated with the inaction of Gold Ridge Management to look at their grievances, one of which is the removal of the current General Manager.

A dead body was found yesterday afternoon, by members of the public, at the Lungga River.

The Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) is renewing its commitment to actively pursue known criminals for serious offences including murder and arson.

Preparations are underway for Pacific Partnership 2009, the fourth in a series of annual U.S. Pacific Fleet humanitarian civic assistance missions. The mission will visit the Solomon Islands in August.

Police and immigration authorities in Solomon Islands are investigating an Australian national who has become embroiled in the media allegations against the Gold Ridge Mining Limited.

Three Theme Committees of the Constitutional Congress have resumed a weeklong meeting to finalize the framework of the proposed Federal Government System.

Former Central Bank governor Rick Hou has cautioned that the global recession and its effect on the country might be worse than the government had initially anticipated.

On the theme ' We Simply Must Stop TB', the Ministry of Health and Medical Services, through its national TB program today marked World TB Day.

Solomon Islands are one of the first countries, within the Pacific region, to formally launch the Pacific Year of Climate Change.

Honiara City clinics will resume as soon as the outstanding water bill has been paid to the Solomon Islands Water Authority. The City's Deputy Mayor, Alfred Maetia, says the process to release the money for the outstanding bill is underway.

The Solomon Islands Students Association (SISA) in Laucala-based University of the South Pacific (USP) is complete with a new office on campus.

The Solomon Islands Government is working on a new Forestry Bill in efforts to reduce the level of logging by 25 percent.

All City Council Clinics in Honiara have been closed, some as far back as Wednesday last week due to a mass disconnection of water by the Solomon Islands Water Authority, SIWA.

The Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands welcomes a new Deputy Special Coordinator, Justin Fepulea'i, a Samoan-New Zealander with significant experience in the Pacific.

On Friday 20 March 2009, the Minister of Police and National Security led a high level delegation down to the Shortland Islands official opened the new Kulitanai Bay Police Station.

The Solomon Islands Government has warmly welcomed the arrival of seven additional doctors from Cuba in light of the critical shortage of specialist doctors in the country.

Our Telekom and Solomon Host have signed a two year partnership agreement on Friday, paving the way for strong cooperation between the two organizations.

As those villagers affected by the floods return to some sense of normalcy, the National Disaster Council (NDC) promised that it will continue with its food distribution programme

The worsening global economic crises has had a negative impact on the travel industry worldwide, most, if not all, major Airlines have recorded massive decline in bookings.

The National Transport Fund Bill 2009 has been passed by Parliament into an Act yesterday.

Those seeking information about disasters in Solomon Islands and what to do before, during and after their impacts will have another source to use this year.

"Getting extensions for your programmes will not be easy and students should know better by now that one has to work hard to earn his or her qualifications."

Despite continuous warnings of possible backlash by the international community, the government has decided that dolphin export would continue, but limited to 100 dolphins per annum.

Communities on Simbo Island, Western Province were introduced to a series of trainings and activities to be undertaken over the next three years in the area of disaster vulnerability reduction Initiatives.

The effect of the February floods has left the people of West Guadalcanal with an unhappy legacy.

The Asian Development Bank A-D-B welcomes the passing of a new Companies Act in the Solomon Islands.

Workers of the Gold Ridge Mining Limited on Central Guadalcanal have issued a 14-days strike notice, demanding the removal of the company's general manager Keith Nielson.

The Cultural Working Committee, tasked with organizing the 2012 Arts Festival, will be having its first meeting tomorrow, said the Director of Culture Division, Robert Au.

A consultation workshop to review the Solomon Islands National Youth Policy and its Draft Plan of Action was held earlier this week at the Commonwealth Youth Programme (CYP)for Honiara youths.

It has been revealed that the Australian Solomons Gold Limited will need a massive USD$100 Million dollars to re-start mining operations.

Yesterday, the National Parliament passed the Companies Bill 2009 into an Act of Parliament.

Australia is helping Solomon Islands to benefit from renewable energy, by supporting solar energy projects in Malaita.

The National Disaster Council (NDC) through the National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) and Guadalcanal Provincial Disaster office will start distributing food relief to Poha, Veraboli, Vura and Tamboko villages today.

The Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Meteorology is organizing a forum to discuss the capture of Indo-Pacific Bottlenose dolphin and its trade from Solomon Islands.

The High Court of the Solomon Islands has issued a final eviction notice to 11 former police officers who still occupy government housing after leaving the force in 2004.

A 28 year old man from Houta village in Marau, East Guadalcanal was charged with common assault following his arrest in relation to an assault on a Government Minister on 13 March 2009.

Customers in and around Gizo and Noro should expect marked improvement in their mobile service reception in recent days.

The Australian High Commission is pleased to announce its support for the Hope Academy through the Direct Aid Program (DAP).

"Leading is not about dictatorship but more on working side by side with members within your team."

Receiving Fiji's prestigious award for a young Solomon Islander comes as "a real surprise."

Police are searching for a murder suspect believed to be in hiding in Malaita.

In 2008 a UN Competitive Recruitment Examinations in the occupational field Information Technology, Human Rights, Finance, Programme Evaluation, Political Affairs and Environment was held in Honiara.

Leader of Opposition told Parliament that certain members of Parliament have lobbied to get support from the Opposition to support a motion of no confidence in the current leadership.

Parliament expects to pass two legislation this week.

The people of Northeast and East Central Guadalcanal are still waiting for relief supplies after recent heavy torrential rains destroyed their food gardens one month ago.

The Patron of St. John Ambulance, Sub Prior Professor, Villis Marshall, and the Secretary-General PNG St. John, Douglas Kelson, are currently in the country to make a five days visit to the hospital and the government.

Results on tests on three workers of the Gold Ridge Mining Limited was released today.

The Government's introduction of the Companies Bill 2009 in parliament this week is a significant step for long term economic growth in Solomon Islands.

The Chief of Police has revealed that crime rate in Honiara has dropped in comparison to 2008.

Pacific Islands must have healthy private sectors to assist in addressing the high unemployment rate which is now rife in the Pacific Islands.

The Coalition of National Unity and Rural Advancement (CUNRA) regime has denied public rumors of a no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Dr Derek Sikua.

A Companies Bill is urgently needed to provide a solid and necessary base for the growth of our private sector, said the Minister for Commerce, Employment and Industries, Francis Billy Hilly.

The Global Financial Crisis is affecting every country in the world. Solomon Islands is not immune to the impacts of this crisis and faces similar economic challenges to those confronting all countries in the world.

The Australian Government has released a series of reports which focus on addressing the problem of violence against women in Melanesia and East Timor.

The Opposition group has questioned the government on the current status of the much touted Bina Harbour Industrial Seaport in today's parliament meeting.

"Economic growth continues to be insufficient in the face of a rapidly growing population, putting pressure on limited national resources," said Hon. Billy Hilly, Minister of Commerce, Industries and Employment during the second reading of the Companies Act 2009.

Police officers from the Liquor Licensing Squad arrested a 27-year old woman for the brewing of kwaso at her home at about 11:00am yesterday.

An exemption which has allowed Solomon Islands companies to sell goods to European countries without the proper documentation will expire at the end of this month.

Minister of Environment, Conservation and Meteorology, Gordon Darcy Lilo, has pledged Solomon Islands' commitment to the Coral Triangle Initiative at a ministerial meeting of the Coral Triangle Countries in Papua New Guinea yesterday.

The RAMSI organized breakfast at the Mendana Hotel to treat some women of Solomon Islands as part of commemorating the International Women's Day.

Solomon Islands' National Parliament will now enjoy the luxury of a new sound system in its chamber.

Police officers have successfully completed a week-long training in Honiara.

Driving along parts of Honiara city requires patience for most with the growing sight of potholes.

The Ministry of Provincial Government had confirmed that the Makira Ulawa Provincial Minister for Community Development and Social Services, Martin Karani had lost his provincial seat following his imprisonment by the Honiara Magistrates court.

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission will gather stories of both victims and perpetrators during the ethnic tension period.

The Ministry of National Unity, Reconciliation and Peace has announced official opening of nominees for the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) of Solomon Islands.

A 5 days "Country Level Inter-Agency Contingency Planning Workshop for Humanitarian Assistance in Solomon Islands" is currently taking place in Honiara.

The National Selection Committee started its work yesterday in the implementation of the Truth and Reconciliation Act 2008.

Solomon Islands and two Pacific island countries have signed a Memorandum of Understanding, M-O-U, for cooperation on the Extended Continental Shelf Claims Submission on the Ontong Java Plateau to the United Nations.

The Australian Deputy High Commissioner, Alison Duncan, has urged Solomon Islanders to cooperate in ending violence against women and girls.

It is not widely known that the Royal Solomon Police Force Band is the only brass band in the nation.

The International Women's Day celebration is a worthwhile event not just for women but also for men and youths.

Closure of the Kukum Market is a loss for a major company in Honiara and the government.

Former Prime Minister, Sir Allan Kemakeza, had been re-appointed chairman of the Savo House of Chiefs.

Recent flooding in parts of Guadalcanal Province has brought fear of not just recurring natural disaster but also of haunting experiences.

There is need to revive and encourage cultural activities in schools.

The Ministry of Rural Development plans to install twenty-five email stations in the rural Solomon Islands.

The parents of a missing four-year-old girl from the Zion area are relieved to have their child, June safely returned home, after she reportedly squeezed through a window and wandered from her house around 5am last Saturday.

A team from the World Bank Group is currently visiting Solomon Islands to discuss potential sources of economic growth for the country.

The Royal Solomon Islands Police Force held a significant planning workshop at Honiara Hotel last Friday to set their Strategic Directions in partnership with RAMSI Participating Police Force.

Solomon Airlines announced that it was decreasing its fuel surcharge on the Australian route from Brisbane to Honiara and return with immediate effect.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade has told the Prime Minister, Dr Derek Sikua that having diplomatic missions overseas is a very expensive exercise.

The European Union Micro Project handed over yet another classroom in front of visibly proud teachers and excited young students, who will now have a comfortable environment to learn.

The Government is proactively tightening expenditure as the nation braces for signs and effects of the global economic crisis.

The Republic of China's Ambassador to Solomon Islands, His Excellency George Chan has formally released the first payment of the "2009 Constituency and Rural Development Fund" of SBD$10 million to Prime Minister Dr Derek Sikua in Honiara yesterday.

Transparency Solomon Islands (TSI) held their sixth Annual General Meeting at the Quality Inn conference room last night.

A small but generous donation was made to Sir Tommy Chan, by Australian based consultancy firms. The group are contractors to the largest and publicly floated travel company-Flight Centres which is headquartered in Brisbane.

Government had paid a total of 300-thousand dollars as an up-front gesture of goodwill payment to the tribal land owners of East Fataleka and East Kwara'ae.

Prime Minister Derek Sikua says his government has approved SBD$11 million dollars to support those affected by the recent bad weather throughout the country.