I AM very positive about the future of the Pacific. The Melanesian bloc in particular holds potential to help the Pacific grow in leaps and bounds. I make this assertion from the perspective of a bank that has had a presence in the Pacific for more than 130 years; since 1880 in Fiji; 1910 in…
INTERNATIONAL Day of Forests had a particular importance for the Pacific region. That’s according to Inoke Ratukalou, director of Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) Land Resources Division. He was speaking on the International Day of Forest on March 21. “This day, which aims to celebrate and raise awareness on the importance of all types…
Communications and Information Technology Minister and Central Bougainville MP Jimmy Miringtoro has raised concerns regarding the recent trouble in Buin, south Bougainville where a shop belonging to Chinese nationals was ransacked. The incident in Buin is similar to the one last year in Arawa Central Bougainville where ex-combatants led local people into a newly opened…
THE Solomon Islands Electrical Authority (SIEA), Auki power station escaped what could have been a disaster. One of the exhaust pipe outlets at the station’s roof top caught fire on Monday. The building’s roof caught fire from the heat, forcing site workers to scramble and nearby residents and Auki Primary School to be put on…
OUR Telekom Company limited has been reported to have owed the government millions in unpaid sales tax from its prepaid Me Top Up services throughout the country. Reports revealed since 2009, the company has not been paying any sales tax to the Inland Revenue Division within the ministry of finance and treasury. Chief Executive Officer…
Local tourism company Sol-Host is taking a lead in trying to set up four large video screens which aims to show promotional clips about the country as part of tourism awareness program. To kick off that deal Sol Host met with five (5) government organisations on Friday to discuss the idea. The plan is to…
Quarantine division within the ministry of agriculture and livestock (MALS) is committed to supporting the project undertaken by a private tourism firm Sol Host Project in trying to set–up of four (4) LCD screens at the Honiara’s international and domestic airport. The initiatives was aimed to market and inform visitors both domestic for travelling passengers…
The Central Bank of Solomon Islands’ (CBSI) has clarified recent media statements regarding the applications of the Pacific Alliance Bank Ltd (PAB) and the Pan Oceanic Bank (POB). In a statement issued on Monday the CBSI said it wishes to disassociate itself from any comments. “First CBSI disassociates itself from comments made that may imply…
THE Government of Papua New Guinea has been using seaweed farming as a source of income for the past six years. And according to Bougainville Seaweed Limited senior co-ordinator Raymond Moworu, this success story could be an example for other Pacific Island countries. Speaking at the regional Increasing Agricultural Commodity Trade (IACT) training and consultation…
The World Bank Board of Executive Directors last week endorsed a plan to contribute approximately US$10 million to the Government of Tonga to support the reconstruction and repair of houses for hundreds of families in Ha’apai whose homes were badly damaged or destroyed by Tropical Cyclone Ian in January this year. A World Bank team…