BY LORETTA BRIGIDIA MANELE

SOLOMON Islands graduation from its LDC (Least Developing Country) status would mean having to lose benefits associated with the status.

According to Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) Trade and Industry News Volume 11, Issue 3, May to June 2018, should Solomon Islands graduate from its LDC status, benefits like exporting tuna to the EU duty-free and quota-free with exception of armaments under EU’s Everything but Arm’s (EBA) initiative would no longer be enjoyed at the same time threatening the country’s tuna industry.

The agency stated that this move if taken by Solomon Islands would jeopardize Soltuna’s direct onshore employment of 2,350 people where 67 percent are women, bringing in annual employment earnings of around US$12 million into the economy.

Additionally, FFA said a conservative multiplier effect for indirect and induced employment would push this to at least 7,000 jobs and more optimistically, over 13,000.

Moreover, given the great importance tuna processing is in the country, it was expressed that the Commonwealth Secretariat undertook an analysis of the ‘competitiveness challenges’ of graduation for Solomon Islands’ position in the global value chain in tuna.

The LDC status calculated was based upon three measures namely; Gross National Income (GNI) per capita, Human Assets Index (HAI) and Economic Vulnerability Index (EVI).

GNI is taken from national accounts data and converted into US dollars, HAI is a composite of human health and education while EVI comprises of 8 indicators which include population size, export concentration, remoteness, share of primary sector in GDP (agriculture, fisheries and forestry), as well as the vulnerability to trade shocks and environmental change and disasters.

As for GNI and HAI, FFA stated that Solomon Islands was above the eligibility threshold in the UN Committee for Development Policy’s 2015 review.

Also noted was that the United Nation’s LDC Identification Criteria and Indicators do not take into account counter-factuals should a country graduate from its LDC status, particularly, economic vulnerability.

Hence, if Solomon Islands graduates from its LDC status, the loss of the duty-free access to the EU market may undermine the government’s attempt to ease logging and engage in reforestation.

BY LYNTON AARON FILIA

EUROPEAN Union (EU) remains as the highest importer of tuna from Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea, a report shows.

According to the Forum Fisheries Agency trade and industry news volume 11 issue July 4 -August, 2018, EU import volumes of loins from Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea increased by 48 percent and 64 percent respectively, between 2013-2017.

The quarterly reports from July – August 2018 stated tuna fisheries play crucial role with increasing processing plants from 144 to 215 – a difference of 71 plant processing.

However, on global scale between 2008 and 2017, global tuna processing capacity (whole round and cooked loins) increased 12-13 percent, while total number of processing plants increased from 144 to 215.

FFA bulletin highlighted Thailand remains the world’s largest canned tuna processor, accounting around 15 percent in global production with EU become world’s largest market for canned tuna.

EU also well-known as an important market for pre-cooked frozen loins, it said.

The United States remains as runner up with shelf-stable tuna market, supplied by two domestic plants which process 100 percent imported cooked loins, as well as imports from 35 countries.

Frozen cooked loins import volumes to feed two processing plants on the mainland have declined by 17 percent since 2013, with Fiji as a significant supplier of albacore loins in the range of 11,000-12,000mt/year, the report shows.

Globally, the industry continues to struggle with overcapacity, with a majority of plants operating below full capacity, while new plant investments and expansions continue.

Meanwhile, over the years FFA members have been working hard to develop successful strategies to increase returns from valuable tuna fisheries.

Report suggested that FFA with its interest towards tuna fisheries have continued to innovate new approaches and links with the global industry to further advance such efforts.

Part of such process includes;

-Increasing knowledge about where value is added as the raw material is transformed into finished product

-Gaining an understanding about how industry players across the value chain capture such value

-Examining how Pacific Island countries are positioned within these dynamics.

Recently, FFA published a study that provides industry and market intelligence on the current status of the shelf-stable tuna processing industry—example canned, pouched.

This is a step to advance efforts on tuna industry globally, it said.

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

THE man alleged of attempting to rape an underage girl at the GPPOL area North Guadalcanal has denied the allegation on Tuesday in court.

Deputy Chief Magistrate Ricky Iomea asked the accused in court and he pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The alleged incident was said to have occurred on July 30 this year at GPPOL in the Palm oil blocks.

Evidence produced in court said the accused is from Temotu and at that time of the alleged incident the accused was living at the GPPOL area.

Since he entered a not guilty plea the case is adjourned to October 9 for mention and also for prosecution and defence to update court in regards to the issue of committal.

Office of the Director Public Prosecution appears on behalf of the state.

THE Youth@Work (Y@W) Programme in partnership with the Young Entrepreneurs Council Solomon Islands (YECSI) will host a Youthbiz showcase event from October 4-6, 2018 on the footpath at Commonwealth Street, Point Cruz.

Signifying the theme “Setting the Scene”, the showcase concept builds on the successful Youth Market concept which was based on the need to promote young aspiring entrepreneurs to fully participate in economic activities in the Solomon Islands.

The key difference being the limited number of participants, the involvement of provincial entrepreneurs and the partnership between YECSI and Y@W.

A combined effort to empower young skilled and talented young people who are interested in venturing into the entrepreneurship and finding ways to make a living.

12 young entrepreneurs who have been part of the Y@W Young Entrepreneur’s Component will be featured at the event.

These are young people who have either dropped out of school and could not go further but are passionate about starting a small business.

Most of them see it as a way they can be able to contribute to a social solution in their communities through small scale businesses based on their skills and talents.

The young entrepreneurs are self-taught tailors, weavers, farmers, jewellery makers and industrious persons who make coin boxes and kitchen utensils just to name a few.

Group leader for Y@W Young Entrepreneur’s Component Collin Albert said: “It is the first of its kind for us to do a great collaboration like this, and so the team is excited and grateful for the support we have so far.

“We are excited about having teams from Auki and Gizo travelling over the weekend and meeting up with us, they seem anxious to learn and be part of the YouthBiz showcase 2018.”

Those that are already members of YECSI will be fortunate to attend the first ever YECSI Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Wednesday 3rd October at the Heritage Park Hotel.

Setup under the auspices of the Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SICCI), YECSI is established to represent current and aspiring young entrepreneurs in the Solomon Islands.

It will develop into a national advocacy and technical council under SICCI, that provide a platform (and a voice) for young entrepreneurs to creatively engage with policy makers to effect positive change aimed at prompting business and employment aspirations of current and future young entrepreneurs.

YECSI Coordinator, John Wopereis said the Showbiz presents the opportunity for young entrepreneurs in the provinces to become members of YECSI and attend the AGM next Wednesday.

“This is an opportunity for young entrepreneurs taking part in the three-day event to give their contribution to ensure their concerns are taken note of, especially those from the provinces.

“It is also a chance to create and strengthen new and existing partnerships between young people during the networking part of the AGM.”

YECSI is also expected to facilitate support services to young entrepreneurs undertaking mentoring and coaching, business planning and targeted business trainings.

–YOUTH@WORK PRESS

BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

MEMBER of Provincial Assembly (MPA) for Ward 12 at Varisi Lavata Hon Nerio Ulemiki disagrees on report indicating some Wards in Northwest Choiseul being relatively high above the average poverty level.

The report comes under the equity and equal distribution of services highlighted in SIBC’s news recently by the government’s Statisticians on the poverty map.

Ulemiki says the report which indicated some Wards in Northwest Choiseul as relatively high above the average poverty level is a clear sign of the National and past Provincial Government of Choiseul Province being unfair in distributions of services around the province.

“The last four years were run down the slope to poverty for Wards in Northwest Choiseul especially Ward 12 seeing too a failed UNICEF classrooms project in 2013 for three primary schools in Wards of Voruvoru, Bangara and Tutu Primary schools indicating clearly the unfair attitudes towards equity and equal distribution of services around Choiseul resulting in Wards around Northwest Choiseul missing the required services,” said Ulemiki.

Hon Ulemiki elaborated that as a newly elected MPA for Ward 12 in adhering to his people’s continuous call for a change regarding development in his Ward, he is calling on the new Choiseul Provincial Government and all its implementers and the National Government, MP of Northwest Choiseul Constituency, churches and non-government organisations to focus their development aspirations on the Wards around Northwest Choiseul especially Ward 12 of which he is elected to stand for their rights.

“This is to come out of the poverty level this four years term,” said Ulemiki.

BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

CHOISEUL’S Provincial Assembly is now on the plank to decide on the future of Lauru Shipping Company as it is reported heading towards sinking financially.

The Member of Provincial Assembly (MPA) for Ward 12 at Varisi Lavata Hon Nerio Ulemiki revealing what he describes to be their current government’s great concern said this is due to the previous Provincial Government’s non-compliance to the advice given by the Ministry of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening (MPGIS).

He said the shipping company’s fate was made known during the Induction and Orientation of a Training Workshop facilitated by the (MPGIS) team from Honiara at Taro last week for the Members of Provincial Assembly (MPAs) and Heads of Division.

“The team during the Induction and Orientation highlighted four options for the province to choose from in order to salvage Lauru Shipping.

“The four options are consolidating Lauru Shipping Company’s assets which, is unlikely to happen as it breached certain sections of the revised financial management ordinance for clean audit, outright selling of its assets, selling of shares to private shareholders, or lease it to private companies to run the company.

“It is now time for the Choiseul Provincial Government to decide on which of the four options to follow,” said Hon Ulemiki.

Island Sun had queried this issue yesterday through the current and former Premiers of Choiseul Province over which no responses were given before this paper went for print.

Call attempts to MPGIS also over this matter were not possible.

According to Hon Ulemiki, the Training Workshop facilitated by the MPGIS team is still continuing.

By Alfred Sasako

LAVUKAL Chiefs and their tribesmen and women on Russell Island who opposed Chief Samuel Kubu, Leslie Norris, John Whiteside and Wilson Rano, are in a celebratory mood this week as they welcome good news on two fronts.

First, the Appeal which Rano lodged on their behalf was dismissed and they won an Appeal Case brought against them by their opponents led by Chiefs Samuel Kubu and Leslie Norris.

The case was earlier dismissed, in the lower court – the High Court of Solomon Islands, after it found that the lawyer acting for the group, Wilson Rano and Chief Kubu alone did not have the authority to act on behalf of Lavukal, Chief Kubu and the entities he said he (the Chief) represented.

Evidence surfaced in a sworn statement during the hearing that it seems like, it was Whiteside and Van Vlymen who were the real party, behind this, as when Rano first received notice from the Court, Rano first sent to Whiteside an email requesting Cost.

The email requested Whiteside pass on to the Chiefs, when Rano was already in direct contact with Chief Kubu and Leslie Norris. It begs the question as to why Rano sent Whiteside that email, unless he (Mr Whiteside) was behind the case from the very beginning.

Against all odd, the group opposed Leslie Norris and Kubu Appeal application, who asked the High Court Judgement be dismissed. But instead the Court of Appeal, in its sitting in Honiara this week, dismissed the appeal and the Judgement of the High Court now stands.

The case threatened further development of the Russell Islands Plantation Estates Ltd (RIPEL) on Russell, as Chef Kubu, Chief Leslie Norris, Whiteside and Rano tried to include RIPEL, LSL, ICSL and even named Augustine Rose and Patrick Wong, as individuals.

Sydney lawyer Simon Burchett represented Patrick Wong and other Defendants in the initial case as well as at the Court of Appeal.

He told Island Sun on Monday night in Honiara that the matter came down to the difference between the Appeal and whether the Appellants have the authority to appeal the decision. The Court of Appeal found as did the High Court the appellants did not have the authority to appeal the initial decision.

The second good news for the Lavukal Chiefs and their people this week is that RIEPL developer, Patrick Wong promised them that the victory in the Court of Appeal now unlocks more dividends. They would get “three times the dividends” they received last August.

That month Mr Wong paid out about $498,000 in Dividends royalties to the Lavukal Company and in turn the company paid out to the Chiefs and their tribesmen and women and was shared by all the tribes-people.

“We have finally come to the end of all the delays and road blocks, engineered by a selected few. This week’s decision now clears the path for this development to go ahead. I appeal to you all to work together; to develop your resources for your people’s benefit, always act in the best interest of Lavukal and its people” he told a gathering of the Chiefs at the Monarch Hotel (formerly Iron Bottom Sound hotel) on Monday night.

“Now that this matter is cleared, you will be getting more in dividend royalties. In fact, you will get three times more than what you received last time,” he said.

“I am happy you stuck by me and stood up against those who did not tell the truth and took Lavukal people for a ride. You believed in me and we are now at the end of a lengthy bad dream. It was not easy but we have achieved the outcome we have always wanted to achieve.”