The Government of Kiribati, the University of the South Pacific (USP) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) participated in a ground-breaking ceremony yesterday to officially mark the first step toward upgrading the USP’s Tarawa Campus, which will boost students’ access to higher education. The President of Kiribati, Anote Tong, delivered the keynote speech at the…
THE board of directors of Bank South Pacific (BSP) Ltd had resolved to undertake a buyback of up to K15 million worth of its own shares, chairman Kostas Constantinou said Monday. “The buyback is set to open on the day following this announcement (yesterday) and will continue for a period of up to 12 months.…
Vodafone is extending its business activities to the somewhat exotic regions of Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands, after forming a non-equity arrangement with a local player. The UK-based group said it has signed an exclusive partner market agreement with Bemobile Limited, which trades as bmobile. The two operators will in future collaborate on…
FIJI Gas has acquired a state-of-the-art liquid petroleum gas tanker worth about $500,000. The investment would allow the company to make deliveries to their biggest customers, typically resorts on Denarau and along the Coral Coast. Fiji Gas CEO Peter Lee said they would also use it to make deliveries to their largest offshore clients. The…
ABC: An Australian company is hoping it can use thermal power from a Solomon Islands volcano to provide electricity to the country’s capital, Honiara. Savo Island’s volcano last erupted more than 100 years ago but steam escaping from its vents can often be seen from Honiara, on the much larger island of Guadalcanal where blackouts…
Port Moresby (The National) – THE Pacific Island nations have been urged to stand with the Solomon Islands and ensure that any commitments made in the global trade body can only come into effect if the current round of negotiations is completed. Currently six Pacific Island nations are members of the World Trade Organisation (WTO)…
Suva (Fiji Times) – THE Pacific’s working-age population is projected to increase from its present 6.6million to 9.6million by 2030. However, the Asian Development Bank says only about a third of new workforce entrants in the region can expect to find wage employment if recent years’ job creation trends do not improve. In its latest…
The door is now open to West Papuans to join the Melanesian Spearhead Group, provided they have an inclusive and united group and are in consultation with the government of Indonesia. Following the adoption of a roadmap in relation to the application by the West Papua National Coalition for Liberation (WPNCL) for membership in June…
Three officials of the Solomon Islands Electricity Authority [SIEA] have completed a week-long driving instructors’ permit course organised by the Land Transport Authority (LTA) last week. They have joined 40 other local participants to expand their driving skills and also build capacity to run their own accredited driving schools one day. Their participation was made…
PRIME Minister Peter O’Neill has hailed the Melanesian nations as the economic powerhouse of the Pacific. He told a special Melanesian Spearhead Group leaders’ summit in Port Moresby on Wednesday night that “together our region comprises the landmass, bigger population, immense bio-diversity as well as greater economic activity and growth”. “We are at the forefront…