Economy Archive February 2011

The Governor of the Central Bank of Solomon Islands says the country's economy is growing.

The former Minister of Fisheries, Nollen Leni has told the magistrate court that he did not recall receiving any report from the member for Ngella, Mark Kemakeza, on how he used funds allocated for approved fisheries projects for his constituency.

The Telecommunications Commission of the Solomon Islands (TCSI) has announced that Bemobile Solomon Islands Limited is in breach of its license.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs Peter Shanel Agovaka and Minister of Education Dick Ha'amori have held consultations with Executive members of Kwantlen Polytechnic University in Vancouver, Canada on Friday.

A group of leading businessmen from Papua New Guinea is visiting Solomon Islands to discuss an investment plan for the future.

The Foreign Minister of Solomon Islands, the Hon. Peter Shanel, the Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, Tuiloma Neroni Slade and the RAMSI Special Coordinator Graeme Wilson, today welcomed the appointment of Mr Nicholas Coppel as the next Special Coordinator of RAMSI.

A photographic exhibition entitled "RAMSI: A history in pictures," which showcases the history and achievements of the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI) is set to open in Honiara this week.

Cabinet has endorsed the 2011 budget which will now be translated into a bill for consideration by cabinet when it meets later this afternoon.

The status of Solomon Islanders in Christchurch, New Zealand, following Tuesday's devastating earthquake is not yet known.

A new agreement signed between the Gillard labour Government and Solomon Islands will double the current flights between Australia and Solomon Islands.

Cabinet is expected to deliberate on the final draft of the 2011 budget later this week.

A Papua New Guinea Investment Mission will visit Solomon Islands from 25-28 February 2011, to look at opportunities for investment in the country.

One of the region's biggest banks says the Solomon Islands economy has bounced back strongly from the global economic crisis.

Results of a survey on the effectiveness of aid donor monies to the country's development priorities will be publicized soon.

Minerals explorer Solomon Gold and its partner Newmont Mining are making progress on the Guadalcanal JV Tenements on the Solomon Islands and exploration plans for 2011 have been finalized.

Solomon Islands exporter of live dolphins, Robert Satu, has confirmed that he plans to fill an order from Germany, along with orders from other European countries and Dubai.

The Governor General Sir Frank Kabui has officially announced the date for bye-election in the Baegu-Asifola and Shortland Islands constituencies.

Commodities Export Marketing Authorities CEMA will no longer export copra out of the country when a new investor arrives to operate the Russell Islands Plantation.

Prime Minister Danny Philip was in Yandina, Russell Islands, to hold talks with investors of the Yandina Russell Islands Plantations Estate Limited (RIPEL).

Finance Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo has pledged to deliver a record budget that is focused on economic growth, strengthening the country's budgetary position and ensuring that Solomon Islands can stand as a strong independent nation.

Public transportation was disabled yesterday after all buses and taxis seized operation following a strong demand for the increase of fares.

Solomon Islands Deputy Police Commissioner, Walter Kola is now the Acting Police Commissioner of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force.

Failure by the Government and the Gold Ridge Mining company (GRML) to settle outstanding issues relating to mining on Central Guadalcanal poses a threat to the much anticipated first "gold pour" next month.

The Government is still without four ministers since the first series of defections two weeks ago.

A Magistrate has sentenced a father of seven to three years imprisonment for incest.

People of East Choiseul Constituency can now access Internet services following the installation of the service at the constituency's Growth Centre.

The Government has approved a SBD$25 million dollar rescue package to provide some 200 additional scholarships for Solomon Islands students this year.

The Minister of Finance, the Hon. Gordon Darcy Lilo, officially launched the Ministry of Finance and Treasury's (MOFT) website today (www.mof.gov.sb).