THE newly launched World Bank report suggests that modernizing the agricultural sector, combined with initiatives to raise aspirations, could lead to significant economic growth for the Solomon Islands. The report titled Solomon Islands: Country Economic Memorandum (CEM) – Unlocking New Sources of Economic Growth, examines key barriers to sustainable economic development, with a focus on…
RESEARCH carried out by the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) and the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR) indicates that the population of highly valued and standard size sea cucumbers have decreased due to over harvesting. Speaking to local journalists recently, MFMR Principal Fisheries Officer James Ngwaerobo said the decrease indicates the need…
Minister for National Planning and Development Coordination, Rexon Ramofafia, hosted Australia’s Minister for Defence Industry and International Development and the Pacific, Pat Conroy, for a bilateral meeting in Honiara, focusing on strengthening development cooperation and addressing key national priorities. The brief meeting took place at the MNPDC office in Town Ground, Honiara on Wednesday where Minister…
The Minister for Health and Medical Services Dr Paul Popora Bosawai has thanked the people and Government of Australia following Thursday’s announcement by the Australia’s Minister for International Development and the Pacific, Pat Conroy of Australia’s five year health support to the country’s health sector under the ‘Partnerships for a Healthy Region’ initiative. He said,…
The Ministry of Police, National Security, and Correctional Services (MPNSCS) opened its doors to disability inclusion through an organized session aimed at raising awareness of the Solomon Islands National Disability Inclusive Development Policy 2023-2031 and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD). The session highlighted roles and responsibilities involved in implementing these frameworks…
The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL) has secured and is anticipating to receive a funding support of USD$19.8 million (SBD165m) soon from the International Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD). This is made possible through the Agricultural Investment for Markets and Nutrition project (AIM-N) and will be financed through grant ($10.8M) and loan ($9M). Minister…
Coconut and cocoa has the huge potential to become the country’s major driver of the local economy. That’s according to Minister for the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL) Franklyn Derek Wasi. He said currently the country export 4,000 tons of dried cocoa beans that generate new foreign earnings of SBD$247 million per annum, at…
The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL) Minister Franklyn Derek Wasi has informed Parliament that review work on all agriculture sector policies is ongoing and progressing well. Minister Wasi revealed when he responded to the speech from the throne in Parliament last week. He said his ministry (MAL) was tasked with eight policy priorities since…
THE Australian Government through the Defence Cooperation Program (DCP) on Wednesday officially handed over the upgraded Aola wharf to the Solomon Islands Maritime Security Capability. The upgrade work costs around $120million and was made possible through the longstanding partnership of the Australian Government with Solomon Islands through the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) Maritime…
THE Solomon Islands National University (SINU) on Thursday hosted the visiting Australian Minister for International Development and the Pacific, Pat Conroy for a seminar and he took the opportunity to underscore the importance of jobs to Solomon Islands economy and security. Minister Conroy told SINU students present at the seminar held at the Panatina Lecture…