AIRCRAFTS TO CONTINUE FLY

SOLOMON Airlines will not ground any of its aircraft despite the negative impact of COVID-19 on the industry. That’s according to the Solomon Airlines newly appointed Chairman Frank Wickham when speaking to local journalists for the first time, Tuesday this week in Honiara. “We will not ground any of our aircraft,” he said. The reason…

Veke: 2021 budget is the most inclusive

  THE 2021 Budget can be described as the ‘most inclusive budget.’  Minister for Police, National Security and Correctional Services, Hon. Veke’s highlighted this during his 2021 Appropriation Bill 2021 debate speech in Parliament this week, a statement issued by the Prime Minister Press Secretariat said. The Police Minister said the inclusiveness of the budget…

DCGA recognises rural development

THE Democratic Coalition Government for Advancement (DCGA) continues to seriously recognise the rural sector development as stated in the 2021 budget. Minister for Finance and Treasury Harry Kuma told the parliament when he presented the 2021 Appropriation Bill 2021, Tuesday. “Mr. Speaker, as this Honorable House would fully appreciate, the Solomon Islands cannot realise its…

TOP DOWN BUDGET

• 2021 Budget into 2nd reading • SIEA tariff rates reduction by May    THE government had decided to guide the development of the 2021 budget from a ‘top-down approach.  Minister for Finance and Treasury Harry Kuma said this when he delivered the 2021 Budget speech in the parliament, Tuesday. “Let me now turn to…

INDUSTRY HIT HARD

Govt takes steps to promote domestic tourism   THE Government through the Ministry of Culture and Tourism is taking steps to help keep the ailing tourism industry in the country afloat which has been battered by COVID-19 travel restrictions for the past 12 months. As such the government is scouting for solutions through its ‘re-direction…

$45M LOSS

Solomon Airline faces big lose in revenue   NATIONAL flag carrier Solomon Airlines will lose SBD$45 million dollars this year as COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect their operations. This was revealed by Solomon Airlines senior board member Bob Pollard during the 2021 Appropriation Bill 2021 inquiry on Tuesday. The inquiry was conducted by the Public…

‘DEAD MONEY’

Govt faces budget shortfall of $300million   CENTRAL Bank of Solomon Islands (CBSI) Governor Dr. Luke Forau says this year’s budget is expected to hit a deficit of around $300million. He told the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) during the inquiry into the 2021 Appropriation Bill 2021 yesterday. He added that with the current revenue flow…

CBSI on economic recovery

THE Governor of the Central Bank of Solomon Islands (CBSI) Dr. Luke Forau says this year is the recovery phase of our economy and the country needs to get the economic fundamental rights. He made this sentiment in a serious tone to the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) Inquiry on the 2021 Appropriation Bill 2021. Interestingly,…