Trade Development Council conducts meeting

The 16th meeting of the National Trade Development Council (NTDC) was successfully on Friday (16th August 2024) in Honiara. It was chaired by the newly appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade, Peter Shanel Agovaka. At the meeting he made his first official address to the Council since taking office. In his opening remarks, Minister Agovaka…

Japan to offer scholarships

Japanese government through Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) will be offering scholarships for Solomon Islanders to study in Japan. The grant scholarship is valued at SBD8million (Yen149, 000, 000). The deal is being sealed between Solomon Islands and Japan in a ceremony today. The Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade Peter Shanel Agovaka and Japanese…

MONEY LAUNDERING HERE?

Banks tighten screw on domestic funds transfer due to suspected money laundering activities COMMERCIAL banks have begun clamping down on suspected money laundering activities in the domestic market by introducing new measures to curb the growing practice. These measures include but not limited to disclosing the reason(s) for transfers of funds as well as the…

Japan’s $130m to upgrade for Kilu’ufi hospital

THE Japanese Government through JICA (Japan International Corporation Agency) will upgrade Kilu’ufi Hospital to the tune of SBD130million. This was announced by Prime Minister (PM) Jeremiah Manele when he unveiled the plan for the Japan-funded multi-million-dollar upgrade project in Auki last week. The project, which will see the expansion of the existing hospital and improvement, is set to kick off in October this year and is expected to be completed by the first quarter of 2026. At the celebration of the 41st…

Operation Island Chief 2024 successfully ends

THE Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) has successfully concluded Operation Island Chief 2024 (OPIC24), a 12-day initiative focused on monitoring and surveillance across the Pacific region to ensure the sustainability of fisheries. OPIC24 saw the participation of FFA Members, the Pacific Quadrilateral Defence Coordination Group (Pacific QUADs), and various partners. Extensive surveillance was conducted…

China to support Malaita in agriculture

PRIME Minister (PM) Jeremiah Manele has announced two agriculture projects for Malaita in partnership with the Chinese government focusing on commercial rice farming and cultivating high-value cash crops. He outlined the projects during the province’s 41st Second Appointed Day anniversary in Auki last Thursday. PM Manele said these projects are part of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed recently between the Ministry…

Immigration Office opens in Auki

THE Government for National Unity and Transformation (GNUT) has achieved another policy milestone with the official opening of the Immigration Division in Auki, Malaita Province, last week. The establishment of the Immigration Division not only provides relief to the congested Immigration Office in Honiara but is also a realization of the government’s ongoing commitment to…

Guadalcanal Don Bosco students win dancing competition

STUDENTS from Guadalcanal studying at the Don Bosco Technical Institute, Henderson in Central Guadalcanal have clinched the top prize for their stunning performance, dancing talents and cultural heritage at the school’s Cultural Day last Friday. The cultural event was held to coincide with the birthday anniversary of the Italian founder of Don Bosco Institutions around…