NEIGHBOURING Fiji is bracing for a possibility of two tropical cyclones predicted to hit the Island nation between the November to April cyclone season with one possibly reaching category three. And there is a high probability that these cyclones will pass close to, or over, the northern and eastern parts of Fiji. This has been…
WELLINGTON, (XINHUA) — The southwest Pacific Ocean expects an average number of tropical cyclones to strike this season, but some small island nations will fare worst, according to a New Zealand government forecast on Wednesday. The average number of named tropical cyclones was 12.4 for the season, which runs from November to April and the…
ADVANCES in the business environment in several Pacific Island countries mark 2014 as a year of achievement for the Pacific Private Sector Development Initiative (PSDI), says a recently launched report the progress of the regional technical assistance facility. PSDI, which focuses on improving the business environment by promoting investment, encouraging entrepreneurship, and easing constraints to…
SUSTAINABLE economic development in the region is vital to address social needs ranging from health and education, to environmental and cultural protection, says a report released by the Pacific Private Sector Development Initiative. In its seventh progress report for July 2013 — June 2014, PSDI said this could not occur without resources generated by private…
Papua New Guinea Government has handed down yet again another historic budget – a record K16.2 billion (US$6.19b) in comparison with three previous biggest budgets of US$5.7b in 2014, US$4.9b in 2013, and US$4.01b in 2012. The 2015 Budget has been framed against a backdrop of moderate, albeit strengthening global economic growth and continued domestic…
MINISTER of Foreign Affairs, Milner Tozaka has reportedly made direct contacts with his counterpart in Fiji, Ratu Inoke Kubuabola, to resolve the long-drawn air services impasse between the two countries. This came after he took up his ministerial appointment before New Year. Mr Tozaka told Solomon Star last night he is treating the standing issue…
THE Parliamentary Opposition has welcomed and acknowledged the announcement made by the Prime Minister to establish an independent Commission against Corruption (ICAC). Leader of Opposition Jeremiah Manele in a statement on Monday said the Parliamentary Opposition Group fully supports the establishment of an ICAC. Mr Manele said for many years, undetected and unchecked corruption in…
Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has defended his decision to appoint the former Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Mines Rence Sore to the position of Special Secretary to the Prime Minister. This followed disapproval expressed by the Office of the Leader of Opposition and Gold Ridge landowners over Mr Sore’s appointment, alleging that the appointee…
PRIME Minister Manasseh Sogavare says Rence Sore is his best choice for the Special Secretary to Prime Minister’s (SSPM) job. Mr Sogavare made the defence after the Opposition and Gold Ridge landowners alleged that Mr Sore is yet to be cleared as a suspect in the $18-Million Gold Ridge royalty payment scandal. “He has the…
THE Office of the Leader of Opposition has questioned the swift move by the Democratic Coalition for Change (DCC) Government to cancel Bingtang Borneo’s prospecting license for Rennel/Bellona Province. The statement said it was a concern that cancelling Bingtang’s license was one of DCCs top priority. The Opposition Office said the Government’s decision to kick…