Ban on pork imports remains

SOLOMON Islands maintains its ban on the importation of pork products from Australia due to ongoing concerns over the spread of African Swine Fever (ASF). The ban was imposed in March 2020 following the global outbreak of ASF.  An Officer from the Biosecurity Department in the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, Julianne Mosa told Solomon Star…

‘Bluepreneurship Waste to Wonder’ Training concludes 

A THREE-DAY training called ‘Bluepreneurship-Waste to Wonder’ of turning plastics into opportunities empowerment and waste processing convened in Honiara last week. The hybrid training held at the Saint Barnabas Leaf Hut was designed to empower and equip 20-30 women, youth, and people with disabilities with basic entrepreneurship skills and knowledge on processing waste into valuable…

Gold buyers defy order

Gold-buying outlets in Honiara remain open for business despite a three-month moratorium approved by the Cabinet last month. The Ministry of Mines, Energy, and Rural Electrification (MMERE) imposed the moratorium in response to continued gold purchases from illegal miners at the Gold Ridge mining operation in Central Guadalcanal.  According to an officer from the Mines…

Malaita qualifies again for PCDF

MALAITA Province is qualified again for the Provincial Capacity Development Fund (PCDF) program after a two-year hiatus.  A recent report indicated that the province had previously failed to meet three minimum conditions.  These included the Public Accounts Committee’s (PAC) failure to scrutinize the 2020-2021 Audit Report within 21 days of receiving the audit opinion, issues related to procurement and outstanding payments for…

PM acknowledges outgoing FFA chief 

The Prime Minister (PM) Jeremiah Manele has acknowledged the outgoing Director-General of the Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA), Dr. Manumatavai Tupou-Roosen, for her outstanding contributions to the FFA over the last two decades. Prime Minister Manele acknowledged Dr. Manu, as she is affectionately known, during a farewell dinner hosted by the Office of the Prime Minister…

Partnership offers big potential for SI dive tourism

In a move Tourism Solomons says will have major ramifications for the Solomon Islands dive industry, Honiara-based Bilikiki Cruises has joined resources with fellow liveaboard dive boat expert Emperor Divers.  Under the new arrangement, Bilikiki Cruises’ live-aboard cruise programs will now comprise part of the Singapore-based Emperor Divers’ existing international dive portfolio which includes Egypt,…