Economy Archive July 2011

As revealed by the Ministry of Finance, the Solomon Islands development budget has shown significant under spending as of June 2011.

East Malaita landowners have become the first group in Solomon Islands to offer their land to the Government to develop Economic Growth Centres.

The Solomon Islands Electoral Commission through RAMSI's and Solomon Islands Government's legal framework on reform and capacity building has received new advisors to help on electoral reform.

RAMSI: A history in pictures, a photographic exhibition that showcases the history and achievements of the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI), has opened in the Samoan capital, Apia.

Prime Minister Danny Philip has encouraged all citizens of Solomon Islands to take pride and full ownership of the upcoming Festival of Pacific Arts next year.

Republic of China, Taiwan today extended its assistance to help the country meet the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) following the opening of a health training workshop in Honiara.

Government has recorded a surplus of about SBD$143 million dollars for the financial year to June against an estimated surplus of about SBD$51 million dollars.

Government ministries and NGO's involved in promoting safe sex in the Solomon Islands believe teenage prostitution is on the rise as a result of poor economic conditions in the country.

The new Gizo Hospital will be handed over to the Solomon Islands Government next month.

Axiom KB Limited ("Axiom KB"), 80% owned Solomon Island subsidiary of Axiom Mining Limited ("Axiom") has been joined as a defendant in proceedings commenced under a certificate of urgency in the High Court of Solomon Islands on Thursday 21 July 2011 by SMM Solomon Limited, a subsidiary of Sumitomo of Japan ("SMM").

Police are concerned with the number of drink drivers caught on the roads of Honiara, particularly over the weekends.

Discussions are being held in Solomon Islands for a compensation plan to end dolphin hunting by one community.

The Solomon Islands Ministry of Fisheries says it will call an urgent meeting with the Ministry of Environment to discuss the country's growing crocodile population.

A recent study has suggested that Solomon Islands have a relatively high sexually transmitted infection (STI) rate among teenagers.

Fiji political fugitive Ratu Tevita Uluilakeba Mara has lashed out at Solomon Islands Prime Minister Danny Philip, for supporting Fiji's interim Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama resume chairmanship of the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG).

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs Ethel Sigimanu has said that women in Solomon Islands have learnt many lessons in trying to get legislation on Temporary Special Measures (TSM) to increase the number of women in Parliament.

The Vatilau Council of Chiefs in the Buena Vesta District of Central Province are gravely concerned over the increase of dynamite fishing.

Finance Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo has said that the country needs to focus on micro economic policies "geared towards encouraging the growth of small and medium enterprises."

The Opposition has called for the sacking of the Minister for Education, Dick Ha'amori for not conforming to a commitment made by Prime Minister Danny Philip to give part of SICHE land for the establishment of the fourth campus of the University of the South Pacific (USP).

The Government's counter offer on the Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) demanded by teachers in the country is still being negotiated.

A two-man delegation from New Zealand has visited Solomon Islands this week to gather information on the upcoming Festival of Pacific Arts in July 2012.

A magnitude 6.2 earthquake hit off the Solomon Islands this morning, but no tsunami warning was issued.

People in the outlying islands of Malaita and Temotu province have called on the national government to lift the nation wide ban on bechdemeer.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade is commencing the second phase of its national consultations on Solomon Islands' trade negotiations with Australia and New Zealand, commonly referred to as PACER Plus.

Customers of Our Telekom's Breeze mobile service will benefit from a reduced mobile call rate starting today - 0.99 cents per minute.

An advance team of the Flying Doctors of America (FDOA) has arrived in Honiara ahead of a group of surgeons and other medical specialists.

An East Malaita man Edwin Gani has urged people from the area not to sell gem stones from the area to any foreigners, until proper and legal procedures of the country are followed.

Finance Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo says that the country needs to find innovative and creative ways to unlock the many potential that lie throughout the Provinces.

The Opposition Leader says the only remedy to the Isabel nickel prospecting deadlock is canceling the prospecting license wrongly issued to Australian Mining Company, Axiom.

Solomon Airlines today received its first Air Operators Certificate, AOC, to allow it to extend its current services to cover both domestic and international flights.

The Solomon Islands Government's investment arm, the Investment Cooperation of Solomon Islands, or ICSI, has congratulated the Solomon airlines for its "constructive engagement which resulted in the national carrier attaining its historic Air Operators Certificate, AOC."

The Government has responded to the Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) demanded by the Solomon Islands National Teachers Association (SINTA) with a counter offer last Friday.

A group calling itself the Guadalcanal Workers Union is beefing up support on behalf of Guadalcanal Plains Palm Oil limited (GPPOL) employees for a 14 days strike notice on the grounds of dissatisfaction over work condition.

The Government has approved the establishment of three additional overseas Diplomatic Missions to take care of the country's international affairs.

The Acting Head of local police, Walter Kola, says the rights of women and children must be respected by all Solomon Islanders.

Australia's Minister for Defence, Hon Stephen Smith MP, visited Solomon Islands from 12-13 July and met with national leaders and Australian soldiers serving as part of the Australian-led Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI).

The Solomon Islands National Organizing Committee of the 11th Festival of Pacific Arts last Saturday launched a special bi-weekly radio program on the National Broadcaster (SIBC).

The former Guadalcanal Revolutionary Army Commander Andrew Te'e has received a conditional pardon from the Solomon Islands Governor General Sir Frank Kabui.

Consultant to the Customary Land Reform Unit, Andrew Nori, has said he does not want to see any Malaitan leave his land because of dispute and unhappiness.

"Australia cannot act alone on any decision to reduce the number of soldiers serving with the Regional Assistance Mission in Solomon Islands (RAMSI)," the Australian Defense Minister, Stephen Smith says.

The Australian mining company, Axiom Mining, will begin drilling for nickel in Solomon Islands this week amid continued ill-feeling from rival companies and landowners.

The National Coalition for Rural Advancement (NCRA) Government has voiced its intentions for great emphasis on its campaign to reduce fuel consumption in Solomon Islands.

Hospital Authorities have confirmed that the hospital's standby generator was rendered faulty, resulting in the longer than expected power outage at the hospital over the weekend.

The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) has contributed to the successful rescue of ten people, reported missing near the Guadalcanal region of Solomon Islands.

The National Organizing Committee of the 11th Festival of Pacific Arts has launched a special bi-weekly radio program on the National Broadcaster SIBC.

Lives were at risk at the National Referral Hospital late last night following a power blackout that lasted for almost an hour.

The Government has pledged a million dollars to rebuild the burnt down Auki Primary School in Malaita Province.

A Former Chief Electoral Officer says the recent voter's registration for the 2010 was carried out in a corrupt manner.

Prime Minister Danny Philip, in his 33rd Anniversary Independence message, has reminded all Solomon Islanders to celebrate their citizenship.

Solomon Airlines has confirmed that their new Airbus A320 will not make it in time for the planned unveiling on Independence Day tomorrow.

Australia will be continuing its support for Solo Icon this year which includes a financial contribution of more than SBD$40,000.

Local environmental firm Pacific Horizons has confirmed completing an interim report on the Gold Ridge cyanide spill.

Solomon Islands and the Asian Development Bank have signed a SB$265 million dollar grant from Australia to help restore vital transport links destroyed by the 2010 floods in central Solomon Islands.