PAY RISE IN 2024

Proposed pay rise for MPs rescheduled due to fragile state of economy and other pressing Gov’t commitments, including the hosting of the Pacific Games in Honiara this year THE consultation on the proposed pay for Members of Parliament which has been rescheduled for implementation in April 2024 will commence next month. The proposed increase in…

Abu Dhabi Embassy soon

PREPARATIONS are underway for Solomon Islands to open a new diplomatic mission in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE) this year. Prime Minister, Manasseh Sogavare, revealed this to the visiting UAE non-resident Ambassador to Solomon Islands, Abdullah Al Subousi yesterday. Prime Minister Sogavare said Abu Dhabi is a strategic location for the diplomatic mission, a…

UK Foreign Secretary is here

UNITED Kingdom (UK) Foreign Secretary, James Cleverly, has arrived in Honiara last night as part of his four-day visit to the Pacific Islands. He is expected to announce UK’s financial support and the deployment of UK expertise to the region for regional priorities such as climate change. This includes £4.5 million of new funding to…

TAKING THE EXIT

Comptroller of Customs, Australian Jim Sutton departing SI, blames severe pressure by political elements associated with PM’s Office for his exit JIM SUTTON’s contract as Comptroller of Customs has ended, the man announced in an internal electronic memo to staff, blaming “severe pressure by political elements associated with the PM’s Office” for his departure. Solomon…

SI, UAE eye bolstered ties

AMBASSADOR Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to Solomon Islands, Abdulla Al Subousi, presented his letter of credence to the Governor General, Sir David Vunagi yesterday. Sir David Vunagi accepted the letter of credential from the non-resident ambassador and extended his warmest greetings and good health to the President of the UAE,…

Maelanga delivers keynote address at Australia-SI business forum

DEPUTY Prime Minister, Manasseh Maelanga, has delivered the keynote address at the opening the 12th Australia-Solomon Islands Business Forum in Brisbane yesterday morning. The theme for this year’s forum is “Solomon Islands; Open for Business Again” which covers topics, sessions and discussions on reforms, challenges and opportunities for business development between the two countries after…