Economy Archive May 2012

Solomon Islands Prime Minister, Hon. Gordon Darcy Lilo has highly commended those involved in the operation that successfully saved 49 lives from the capsized vessel, MV Solfish 001 last week.

The Solomon Islands National Union of Workers (SINUW) has issued a press statement calling on the government to investigate the business dealings of RIPEL chairman Patrick Wong.

The Director of the National Disaster Management Office has called on relevant authorities to make sure ships are sea worthy before they can operate in the country.

Prime Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo was disturbed to learn of the missing MV Solfish 001 but was relieved after he was informed that all 49 crew and passengers had survived the ordeal.

A Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) AP-3C Orion gave a wave of hope for 49 Solomon Islanders stranded in life rafts with no sight of land last Saturday afternoon.

Survivors of the sunken vessel Solfish 001 have been transferred to Honiara for further treatment late yesterday afternoon.

The Police Commissioner has advised the public not to use the Police Emergency number 999 to make hoax calls as this will only delay their work, especially when attending to genuine emergency calls.

Solomon Islanders are angered at statements made by Gary Barlow, former Take That singer, in a recent media interview about his visit to the Solomon Islands.

An independent assessment of Solomon Islands dolphin exports has warned the current quota is unsustainable.

Solomon Islands Government has expressed satisfaction with RAMSI's current transition process but wants the regional intervention mission to share information on the costs of its development programs.

Prime Minister, Gordon Darcy Lilo, says his government does not support commercial whaling by any country but will support Japan's scientific whaling programme.

The International Monetary Fund says it is impressed with current economic developments in the Solomon Islands.

The Australian Government says it will provide an estimated 1.8 billion Solomon Islands dollars in official development assistance to Solomon Islands in 2012-13.

A workshop is being held in the Solomon Islands to help medium and smaller sized accomodation operators get up to speed with their online presence.

Finance and Treasury Minister Rick Hou says Cabinet has endorsed the first Debt Management Strategy for the country.

The Office of Prime Minister confirms that Prime Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo has formally lodged a complaint with the police against Dr. Derek Sikua, alleging criminal defamation.

Health authorities have today announced six confirmed cases of rubella all aged between 6 and 15 years old.

Downer New Zealand, a New Zealand construction company, has won a contract of USD$20 million to improve transport links in Solomon Islands Western Province.

The World Bank and the Government of Solomon Islands signed a US$2 million grant agreement to boost the economy and support effective service delivery for the country.

Solomon Islands Prime Minister, Hon. Gordon Darcy Lilo said that the Opposition was wrong to correlate the actions of the government to the involvement of an Asian businessman in the beche-de-mer saga.

A three day business training for cocoa farmers in Solomon Islands is enabling farmers to manage their finances properly.

Transparency Solomon Islands has now officially announced its new Board members for 2012-2013.

The Royal Solomon Islands Police Force now have a Police Commissioner who was officially sworn in this week.

Solomon Islands Ministry of Health and Medical Services and the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) yesterday declared the National Referral Hospital in Honiara, a "Mother-and-Baby Friendly".

There are current investigations surrounding the massive shipments of coral sent from the Solomon Islands to South Florida bound for the curio trade.

Opposition Leader Dr Derek Sikua has called on Prime Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo to ensure that Zhang Tong Zhi - the Asian caught trying to smuggle bechedemer out of the country - stops his business activities.

An inquiry into teacher absenteeism in primary, secondary and tertiary education institutions will start soon.