Passport demand on the rise

FOR the first time, the Immigration Department which comes under the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, Labour and Immigration (MCILI) has recorded between 3000 to 4000 passport applicants within the first quarter of the year. The department highlighted this as applications for new blank e-passport books continue to flood in. “This year, our office for the…

Solomon Islands and Saudi Arabia bond strengthened

Prime Minister Hon. Manasseh Sogavare MP and Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador, His Excellency Sultan Fahad Khuzaim used this week’s bilateral meeting in Honiara to further brace Solomon Islands- Saudi Arabia’s diplomatic ties and build on current partnerships, progress, strengthen and convene discussions on new areas and matters of mutual interests. Prime Minister Sogavare reconfirmed to His…

Water Treatment Plant work to pick up

WORK on the Kongulai Water Treatment Plant is expected to pick up this week. This was clarified by the Solomon Water Authority Chief Executive Officer (CEO) in a press conference, Friday. Solomon Star had reported last Tuesday that the project was delayed as the environmental management plan was yet to be completed.  But CEO, Ian…

INCLUSION GOOD FOR BUSINESS – AUSTRALIAN-FUNDED GENDER AND  DISABILITY WORKSHOP FOR INFRASTRUCTURE INDUSTRY

Australia’s SBD1.65 billion infrastructure partnership with Solomon Islands has delivered its  third industry training to support local industry winning more work and delivering better quality infrastructure.  Last week local construction companies developed Gender Equality, Disability and Social  Inclusion (GEDSI) policies for their workplaces – with the message that the inclusion of  women and people with…

SolTuna farewells boss

IT is always hard to say goodbye to someone close to you. This is exactly how SolTuna board, management and staff felt Monday last week when they formally bid farewell to their outgoing general manager Jim Alexander and his wife Leo. Sixty-eight-year-old Mr Alexander has been with SolTuna for 10 years and Noro is where…