Intense lobbying is underway on the margins of the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders meeting in Koror for the five candidates vying for the position of the Secretary General of the Suva-based Secretariat. PACNEWS has been reliably informed that Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands are going out of their way to campaign for their candidates,…
The British American Tobacco in Papua New Guinea (BATPNG) says illicit tobacco trade in Papua New Guinea will cost the PNG Government almost K100 million (US$40 million) in 2014. It said last year the total revenue loss was K96.1 million (US$39.4 million) The tobacco company in a forum presentation stated that the recent rise in…
Zealand farms are clamouring for more Samoans to come pick fruits in their orchards. And farms which do not have Samoans working in their orchards are quietly relaying to Samoan officials their wish to employ Samoans under the soon-to-be-9000 seasonal worker (RSE) numbers cap. “Our Samoan workers have been a boon for our business,” says…
World renowned marine scientist, Dr Sylvia Earle has urged Forum Island Countries not to drop the ball on the sustainable management and protection of oceans and marine resources. She is delighted with the initiative of the Palaun Government to make ‘Oceans’ the theme of the 45th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders meeting in Koror, Palau this…
With the kick-off of the United Nations post-2015 sustainable development agenda fast approaching, ministers and senior Government officials from across the globe have gathered in Cotonou, Benin, today to discuss how to strengthen the world’s 48 least developed countries to produce more goods and trade in international markets more efficiently. “The conference is an invaluable…
Partnership, consultation and support between the Japan Fisheries agency and the FFA continue to set a positive example to other distant water fishing nations that have vessels licensed to fish in Pacific waters. A just-ended Japan Fisheries-FFA consultation at the FFA’s Honiara-based headquarters provided room for open sharing on key issues and helped clarify new…
SEVERAL families residing at Independence valley in White River, West Honiara were forced to evacuate after their homes were burnt down in retaliation to a swearing incident over the weekend. Reports reaching the Solomon Star said the incident occurred on Sunday after a drunken man allegedly swore at a group residing around the area. In…
Hope for workers’ representation of their rights can now be heard as newly registered Workers Union of Solomon Islands (WUSI) formally announces its registration and establishment. Announcing this yesterday, the Workers Union of Solomon Islands also indicated amongst its new approaches it will cover both private and public workers. And that 50 percent of its…
The Government has handed over $2 million to Helena Goldie Hospital in Munda, Western province over the weekend. Acting Prime Minister Hon Manasseh Maelanga delivered the cheque to Helena Goldie Hospital authorities at handover ceremony on Saturday. The donation came from the Government through the support of the Republic of China, Taiwan, towards Solomon Islands…
THE Kazukuru group of landowners in the Western province have called on responsible authorities to prioritize and involve them in any development projects concerning Noro and Munda townships in the province. This was after the group claimed to have been left out all together in being allocated development projects, tenders and contracts that concerns their…