Parade to open Festival 

THE Third Makira Banana Festival will start with a float from Kira Kira, the provincial capital of Makira Ulawa Province to the festival venue at Kokana Village, West Bauro today. The Kokana Village Chief and his elders will welcome guests and participants as they arrive at the venue, taking them on a tour of the…

Malaitan MPs invited for dialogue

First ever Malaita Peoples’ Dialogue By WILSON SAENI In Auki   Malaita Provincial Premier Daniel Suidani officially invites Members of Parliament (MP) representing the 14 constituencies in the province to attend the Malaita Peoples Dialogue (MPD) in Auki next week.  Premier Suidani confirmed to the paper saying an official invitation has been sent to 14 MPs…

Deal for Belt, Road Initiative 

The Solomon Islands Government (SIG) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Government of the People’s Republic of China based on the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road Initiative framework. The main areas of cooperation under this agreement include policy coordination, facilities connectivity, unimpeded trade, financial integration and…

New air service agreements with Turkey, UAE 

THE Solomon Islands Government has signed historical air service agreements with the governments of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Turkey, the Prime Minister’s Office said. Minister of Communication & Aviation Peter Shanel Agovaka signed the agreements recently which now open up the opportunity for both countries and their designated carriers to formalise services between…

PM meets Xi

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has formally met the President of the People’s Republic of China Xi Jinping at the State Guest House Villa 18 on Thursday in Beijing, China. A statement from the Government Communication Unit reported in front of waiting camera crews, the two leaders shook hands, greeted each other before the President invited Mr…

Suidani on diplomatic switch  

The Malaita Provincial Premier Daniel Suidani says the switch to China is not in the best interest of the country. Premier Suidani said just by looking at the list of business people traveling with Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare one can clearly see Chinese businesses that are behind the switch to China. “If the switch is…

Wale accused of ‘racial disunity’

OPPOSITION leader Mathew Wale has been accused of seeking to divide the country by provoking racial disunity. Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet stated this in a statement in response to earlier comments Wale made about the 32-member delegation currently in China. “The comments by Wale is belittling, discriminatory and contravenes the recognition of…