POB invests US$1m in IT

The country’s fourth commercial bank Pan Oceanic Bank (POB) is investing US$1 million (SBD$7.3m) in information technology (IT) to ensure its banking services continue to serve and satisfy its customers. Speaking exclusively in an interview with the Solomon Star last week the bank’s chief executive officer (CEO) Nihal Kekulawala said the banking is undertaking a…

Ghizo island chief & elders association formed

A new chapter was rewritten for Ghizo Island communities following the full and unanimous acceptance of a formal association of community leaders on Ghizo Island at the end of a three-day workshop on community governance and traditional structure, held in Bibolo Village, West Ghizo. Coordinated, organized and financed by the Ministry of National Unity Reconciliation…

ADB opens office in Palau

Asian Development Bank (ADB) Vice-President Bruce Davis together with Palau’s Finance minister and ADB Governor Elbuchel Sadang last week opened a new ADB Development Coordination Office for Palau. “The new office will boost ADB’s responsiveness to the development needs of Palau,” said Davis. “We look forward to continuing our strong working relationship with the government,…

Vanuatu airport project cancelled

Vanuatu’s government has abandoned a project with a Singapore company to develop an international airport. The plan was introduced by the recently removed Prime Minister, Moana Carcasses, and met with strong opposition from MPs over the unclear terms of the US$350 million  contract and the airport’s location.  An ad-hoc parliament committee decided the plan’s risks…

Solo icon into quarter

The Solo Icon competitions which attracted many youths over the weekends have entered into its quarter finals yesterday at the Aart gallery grounds. The event is being supported by the Australian high commission and organised by Global Youth Leadership Nexus. It consists of three categories namely the young executives, star school and senior which is…

Energy champion

Tokelau’s Minister of Energy Foua Toloa once travelled on a canoe from Tonga to Fiji in 1983 just to prove that it could be done in the modern era. Toloa, who is a hulking specimen of a person, said it was during this voyage, which lasted eight days and covered over 8000 kilometres, that he…

Little done with Singaporean connection

SINGAPORE is a country Papua New Guinea could tap into for trade and investment opportunities, an official says. Commerce, Trade and Industry Minister Richard Maru, during his recent visit to Singapore,   urged the National Government to invest in its growing relationship with Singapore. Despite having a diplomatic office in Singapore, he became aware that no…

Local businessman calls for removal of CASSI boss

Local businessman Peterson Boso calls for the removal of CASSI Director because of what he claimed as his inability to handle the Fiji Airways and Solomon Airlines Saga effectively and efficiently. He claims the standoff between the two airlines would have been avoided, had the Director for CASSI, Mr George Satu done his job properly.…

SIFF soccer dreamers

Dear Editor – Kindly please allow me to comment about soccer in this soccer-mad country. I am a soccer fan. Like many soccer fans in Solo, I have just recovered from the excitement of watching the recent World Cup. But as a proud Solomon Islander, I wonder what the soccer bosses in Solo are planning…