Mala women take up basic cooking training

LOCAL business women in various parts of Malaita Province yesterday started a three day basic cooking training in the provincial capital of Auki. The training, which aims at empowering local business women with new knowledge and skill in basic cooking, is an initiative by the Malaita Provincial Government under the Malaita Provincial Women’s Association (Division).…

Missionaries leave to serve in Vanuatu

TWO local young men, Daniel Dafolo and Rommy Oli, left Honiara on 3 June to serve missions for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (sometimes known as the Mormon or LDS Church). Dafolo, 22 years of age, and Oli, age 21, have served in various Church assignments over the past years as they…

Forestry training for Makira

HOW to best manage Solomon Islands’ forests was the focus for 24 landholders at the recent Sustainable Forest Management & Certification Workshop at Kirakira, of Makira/Ulawa province. The workshop was funded by the Ministry of Forestry and Research through Utilization division, and was coordinated by Chief Forester Miss Stephanie Rikoi of Utilization Division. Positive comments…

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,…

Gov’t domestic securities borrowing fall in 2013

THE Government’s domestic securities borrowings fell in 2013 as the government service its debts according to the CBSI 2013 report. The report stated that the government’s (SIG) domestic debt outstanding at the end of the year was $205.2 million, a reduction of $34.4 million compared to $239.6 million in December 2012. The domestic debt outstanding…