Business reporters end training

THREE days of Pacific Media Assistance Scheme (PACMAS) Business and Economic Reporting workshop held in Apia, Samoa ended successfully yesterday. The training was attended by regional reporters who are dealing business and economic reporting in their respective media organizations. ABC Radio Pacific business and economic reporter Jemima Garrett facilitated the training. The training covered all…

Remote Ropa Island connected

OUR Telekom continues to expand to rural customers with a recent launching of a new network tower at Posarae village, South Choiseul. The tower is located at Ropa Island in South Choiseul. Provincial member Harrison Benjamin during the launching said the launching marked a milestone intrusion of technology for the betterment of people. “Seventy years…

Piggery farmers urged to use biogas

Piggery business farmers have been urged to go into use of biogas as a means to minimize wastes using waste management, improve sanitation and help reduce carbon emission. Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Chief Field Officer Operations, Willie Tuita said biogas is a new thing but is very effective to help local farmers. He said…

World Bank cuts global growth outlook

HARSH northern winter in the US along with the Ukraine conflict have chilled the outlook for global economic growth this year, but highly developed economies will lead a rebound later in the year, the World Bank has projected. The bank trimmed its global growth forecast to 2.8 per cent for the year, from its 3.2…

ABG passes bill to fund priority projects

The Autonomous Bougainville Government passed a Bill on Friday to authorise expenditure from the Special Intervention Fund Trust Account to implement a range of priority projects. The fund is a grant for ABG which the Government appropriated, K200 million (US$73 million) for last year and this year under its K500 million (US$184 million) a year…

Sisilo: Why PACER-Plus?

THE seventh PACER-Plus Intersessional Meeting started yesterday in Adelaide, South Australia, with a strong reminder, particularly to the senior officials of Australia and New Zealand (ANZ), of the compelling reasons why PACER-Plus was launched. “Above all, we should not forget the reasons why PACER-Plus was launched,” Robert Sisilo, Solomon Islands Trade Negotiations Envoy, reminded the…

Consumer Empowerment and Protection progressing

THE Central Bank (CBSI) said it has started to address consumer protection and empowerment; towards end of 2013. In its 2013 annual report, the bank said a prudential guideline was issued to commercial banks requiring them to disclose all their interest rates, fees and charges and vividly displaying and informing consumers of any changes. “Work…

SIEA improves customer service

THE Solomon Islands Electricity Authority (SIEA) has improved their cash power payment process for customers. Last week, the power provider ensured customers are promptly served by making way for a drive-through payment system at their head office, Ranadi. “Previously, customers have to park their cars in the car park and walk in to pay their…

Economic business reporting training kicks off

ABOUT 15 journalists from around the region are undertaking a workshop to boost their skills in business and economics reporting in Apia, Samoa. The participants came from Fiji, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea (PNG), Tonga, Solomon Islands and Samoa. Jemima Garret from the Australian news network is facilitating the training starting yesterday at the National University…

Work to set up National Payments System starts: CBSI

As part of its financial deepening and payment services reform agenda, CBSI recognised the need for an efficient national payments system that can cater for both high value and retail payments; using the electronic platform. Under Sections 26 and 27 of the CBSI Act 2012, the Central Bank is given the power to provide facilities,…