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,…

Boost for Gizo food vendors 

GIZO food vendors in Western Province have been provided with new gazebos (tent) and umbrellas to use while selling their food products. The new gazebos and umbrellas are being placed at the front sea deck of the Gizo market allowed the food vendors to sell their food items to customers. The umbrellas and tents were donated…

HIR-BNR flights for April

National flag carrier Solomon Airlines will continue to be able to operate its Friday weekly service in April. This followed approval by the Australian Government, a statement from Solomon Airlines has confirmed. This means that passenger seats are now available for sale from Honiara to Brisbane during the month of April 2021. Flight IE700 will…

NPF building to house Winrock 

The building that will host the Winrock office in Auki Malaita Province is expected to complete towards the end of the month. Contractor, Justin Fuo’o of the Tropic Group Builders confirmed this to Sunday Star Auki. He said the deadline for the building to complete is May but the building is expected to complete before…

WHY BECHE-DE-MER BAN IS NECESSARY

The current nation-wide ban imposed on beche-de-mer harvesting is necessary to control over-harvesting of the marine product. A statement from the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources on Friday highlighted that export data and stock assessments have shown that low-value species and under-sized products dominate the export volume, which indicated over-harvesting. Data have shown that…

Aus’t, NZ support tourism sector

THE Government of Australia and New Zealand (NZ) will continue to support the tourism sector in the Solomon Islands especially to prepare the sector for the reopening of the borders which was closed due to the global pandemic COVID-19. The tourism industry in Solomon Islands has been hit hard since March 2020 when the COVID-19…