Economy Archive August 2016

The Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade, Hon. Milner Tozaka on Monday 29th August 2016 signed a revised Joint Commitment for Development with his New Zealand counter-part, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Murray McCully in Wellington, New Zealand.

Australia and New Zealand are continuing to supporting maritime surveillance and security patrols in Vanuatu and Solomon Island’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

Taipei City-based International Cooperation and Development Fund (TaiwanICDF) launched the book “Field Guide to the Plants of Solomon Islands” Aug. 23, highlighting the organization’s ongoing efforts to support scientific research and sustainable development in the Republic of China (Taiwan) diplomatic ally.

Last month, the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the Australian government launched a $2.3 million initiative to increase women’s economic participation in the Solomon Islands.

The current Solomon Islands Government will reprioritize the "Other Charges Expenditure" in the 2016 Budget to ensure there are sufficient funds for essential services such as health and education are protected in the remaining months of this year.

The Minister of Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification (MMERE) has welcomed a Climate Change, Water Adaptation report presented by the Solomon Islands Water Sector Adaptation Project (SIWSAP) early this week.

Australian High Commissioner Andrew Byrne travelled to Malaita last week to explore the opportunities and challenges for growth and development in the province, and visit some Australian-funded development projects in Auki, Malu’u and Talakali.

The Resident Representative of the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in Solomon Islands, Kyoji Mizutani has pledged continuous support to Solomon Islands as the country takes charge of a new International seaport facility funded by the Government of Japan.

Building on the success it has achieved positioning the Solomon Islands as a true mecca for bird watching enthusiasts in the key Australian and New Zealand markets, the Solomon Islands Visitors Bureau is now taking the message to the United Kingdom.

Solomon Islands Parliamentary Opposition Group has urged the Government to clear the air over claims Australian Federal Police (AFP) is intending to be permanently stationed in Solomon Islands.

Solomon Islands Minister for Culture and Tourism, the Hon. Bartholomew Parapolo has personally led a senior team of government and tourism officials to meet with potential investors, travel media and travel industry representatives in Sydney and Brisbane this week.

The people of Temotu, Eastern Solomon Islands will have better access to essential medicines with the opening of the Second Level Medical Store at Lata this week.

Solomon Islands' international visitor arrivals as of May have jumped again with official government figures released this week showing a close on a 13 percent increase over the same period in 2015.

Prime Minister Hon Manasseh Sogavare and Singapore’s Senior Minister of State, Josephine Teo met in Singapore this week to reaffirm their governments’ commitment to the friendly ties between Solomon Islands and Singapore.