Solomon Islands

MSG Trade and Economic Meetings in Fiji

The meetings are being held at the Tanoa International Hotel, Nadi, Fiji. 

Senior officials and representatives from Fiji, PNG, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu will be in attendance as part of talks towards a new and more comprehensive trade agreement - MSGTA3 – that will now include Trade in Services, and new chapters such as Labour Mobility, Investment, and Telecommunications. 

MSG Leaders have directed that a draft legal text of the trade agreement must be ready by November 2015.

The meetings include: 

New site for USP campus

This was announced last week by the Minister of Education Dr Derek Sikua during the university’s annual open day in Honiara.

He told the gathering the government has decided to delay the proposed construction of the campus in Doma, North West Guadalcanal because of delay in relations to the development of proposed Doma Provincial Township and a proposed cannery project.

Next tier of Pacific rugby nations Oceania Cup

Cook Islands won the biennial event two years ago but will not defend their title, choosing to focus their limited resources on November's Olympic Sevens Qualifier.

Newcomers American Samoa open proceedings against Solomon Islands at Sir Hubert Murray Stadium, followed by hosts Papua New Guinea against Tahiti, in the first round of matches.

The General Manager of Rugby PNG, Frank Genia, says pride and silverware aren't the only things on up for grabs.

New Solomon Islands Ministers sworn in

Former Minister of Agriculture and Livestock, Augustin Auga was sworn-in as the new Minister for Provincial Government, while former Provincial Government Minister Duddley Kopu was sworn-in as the new Minister for Agriculture and Livestock. 

Former Minister of Women, Youth and Children Affairs Jimson Finiau Tanangada was sworn-in as the new Minister for Rural Development and Indigenous Affairs.

Other reshuffled Ministers who will be sworn-in at a later date are Bodo Dettke, Bartholomew Parapolo and Freda AB Tuki Soriacomua.

Solomons' sawn timber audits planned

The export market for sawn timber from Solomons' community operators is continuing to grow but consumers' are increasingly demanding that it is sourced from legally and sustainably managed forests.

The New Zealand Imported Tropical Timber Group has had a number of contacts with Solomons' operators this year, leading to commitments to develop a system of third party legality assurance over the next two years.

The Group's Malcolm Scott says this will allow audits of sawn timber production.

Solomons' Malaita to pursue sovereignty

Peter Chanel Ramohia says a Provincial Assembly special select committee is being appointed to draw up a roadmap and timetable for consultations with Malaitan leaders and the national government.

The Premier says a sovereign Malaita nation was not a declaration of independence.

He made the comments before the Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare in the provincial capital Auki during provincial celebrations.

Solomon Islands timber industry reaches agreement with NZ

Solomon Islands currently exports around SBD$23 million (NZ$4 million) of sawn timber to New Zealand each year with the value of the trade having increased significantly over the past 10 years.

Solomon PM announces cabinet reshuffle

Announcing these changes, the Prime Minister said, “With the proposed Forestry Reforms currently being undertaken by the DCC Government and due to the significance this sector has on the national economy, we want to ensure that any progress made to effectively regulate the industry, maximise returns and improve sustainability, is not compromised by personal conflict of interests which might complicate the process.”

“For this reason the Hon Bodo Detkke will now be mandated with the important task of driving this government’s priority sector as the new Minister for Tourism”

Crackdown on Illegal logging in Solomon Islands

The new initiative is aimed at ensuring that logging companies and operators do business within the laws of the land by fully complying with the requirements of the Forestry Act and other related regulations.

Minister for Forestry, Bodo Dettke confirmed his Ministry has been given the green light by the office of the Prime Minister to embark on the new initiative.

Dettke said the task is aimed at putting things right in line with laws governing forestry operations in the country.

Solomon Islands/NZ talks successful

Speaking during a press conference held after the meeting PM Sogavare thanked everyone who turned up for the high level talk, while warmly welcoming the presence of the New Zealand delegation into the country.

Sogavare reiterated on the historical friendship of both countries, which has been in existence for 37 years now since Solomon Islands gained independence.