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New vehicle for Renbel

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure Development, Manasseh Maelanga, hands over a new hilux to Renbel Premier, Japhet Tuhanuku, while Renbel MP, Dr Tautai Angikimua Kaitu'u looks on.

By EDDIE OSIFELO

RENNELL and Bellona Provincial government will find it easy to deliver its services on land transportation on the island.

This was after Ministry of Infrastructure Development donated a new brand hilux to the province in Honiara yesterday.

Minister of MID and Deputy Prime Minister, Manasseh Maelanga said the hilux is funded under MID that looks after transport.

He said MID donated the new hilux to Renbel following request from its government to assist them in its administration work.

Premier of Rennell and Bellona Province, Japhet Tuhanuku thanked MID for the assistance and said it is gift that breaks the heart of the people in the province.

Tuhanuku said they will use it to do service delivery to the people of Renbel.

Wood tops SI export to NZ

Written by
Ben Bilua
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Wood remains Solomon Islands top export to New Zealand

BY BEN BILUA

Gizo

WOOD remains top of Solomon Islands exports to New Zealand valued at $10.,159 million in 2021.

In 2020, wood exports to New Zealand dropped, after a steady progress in 2019 but in 2021 they bounced back significantly.

Second on the list of top exports is coconut oil export, followed by canned tuna, cocoa beans and chocolate, flour, meal and powder.

Coconut oil exports have steadily increased since 2019, accelerating in 2021 to $1.154 million. In 2019, exports of cocoa beans and chocolate wer valued at $56,663.00 rising in 2020 to $87,663.00

Similar trend has been seen for canned tuna. Canned tuna export has shown progress in 2020 and 2021.

Exports of Canned Tuna were valued at $102, 728.00 in 2020 and $273,674.00 in 2021.

Flour, meal and powder exports also showed  growth in 2019, 2020 and 2021. Flour, meal and powder export were valued at $24, 018.00 in 2019, $107, 414.00 in 2020 and $181,731.00 in 2021.

The total value of Solomon Islands exports to New Zealand generated from these commodities by year are as follows; and $8.883 million in 2019, $8.246 million in 2020 and $11.873 million in 2021,

Speaking to Pacific Journalists earlier this week, Pacific Trade Investment New Zealand, Trade Commissioner, Glynis Miller said Solomon Islands is rich with natural resources yet to find their footprint at the international market.

She said frozen agricultural products – which for one New Zealand supermarket chain is set to grow by 10% in 2 years is an immediate opportunity. 

Miller said the future for Solomon Islands export is in fresh produce and kava as well food and beverages.

She said Pacific Trade Investment New Zealand will visit Solomon Islands when international border opens and meet with businesses on the ground as well as alongside governments to improve the country’s export.

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NZ to support tourism here

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Press Release
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(L-R) New Zealand High Commissioner Jonathan Schwass, Acting PS of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism Barney Sivoro, and PS of Ministry of Finance and Treasury McKinnie Dentana with the signed funding arrangement.

A funding arrangement of NZD$550,000 (SBD$2.8m) to support the tourism sector in Solomon Islands was signed on Tuesday at the New Zealand High Commission, between New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, and the Ministry of Finance and Treasury.

A statement from the NZ High Commission said the agreement will support the recovery of the tourism sector after the challenges that have accompanied the pandemic.

“It will support the Ministry of Culture and Tourism to continue working with operators to use COVID-19 safety protocols and keep visitors safe; drive the development of tourism products and minimum standards, including investing in key national tourism assets ahead of the Pacific Games; and improve sector coordination,” the statement said.

“The aim is to drive a growing, sustainable, and inclusive tourism sector in Solomon Islands,” it added.

The agreement is part of a wide range of work underway to support the recovery of the tourism sector.

The Ministry of Culture and Tourism, with support from Strongim Bisnis, have trained operators in COVID-19 safety protocols, so that venues are ready to open their doors as tourists return.

New Zealand will also support technical advice and grant funding to Tourism Solomon Islands, to drive marketing and online communications, as well as small grants to tourism businesses through Business Link Pacific.

High Commissioner Jonathan Schwass noted the importance of partnership in rebuilding the tourism sector.

“New Zealand has been supporting tourism since 2017, because we see the tourism sector as critical to economic development in Solomon Islands, particularly in the provinces,” Schwass said.

“This arrangement represents a new chapter in New Zealand’s support to tourism, and we are excited to be seeing this work progress,” he added.

In acknowledging the support, Acting Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism Barney Sivoro thanked the New Zealand government for the assistance, and noted that it is timely as the country looks forward to the opening of international border in July.

Call to upgrade rundown Maluu nursing facilities

Written by
Samie Waikori
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One of the facilities of the old Nursing School at Malu’u in north Malaita.

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Auki

THE Ministry of Health and Medical Services has been urged to consider upgrading the dilapidated Malu’u old nursing school building in north Malaita.

Community Health Nurse Consultant for the Northern region, Lawrence Irobaea recently made the call with further suggestion of integration the buildings with the current health facilities at the Malu’u Area Health Centre.

Irobaea said since the nursing school closed some decades ago, the buildings were not used and are down at the moment.

He said whilst the facilities structures are there, the Ministry of health should consider upgrading them and merging them with the current facilities at Malu’u AHC.

Irobaea said the old nursing school is behind the Malu’u AHC and any plans to upgrade the facilities will be of benefit to the expansion of the health centre.

He also said integrating of the old nursing buildings will also address the demand for health services in the northern region of the province.

He said Malu’u AHC serves more than 50,000 people in the region and the expansion of the health centre should be a priority to cater for the population.

He said the proposal to take onboard the initiative will be an advantage to support the growth of Malu’u AHC in the delivery of health services for the people.

Irobaea said as somebody on the ground, he is prepared to provide support towards the interest to upgrade the old Malu’u nursing school for the expansion of Malu’u AHC.

Parties yet to settle negotiation on Nehemiah case

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

THE case of a man alleged of obtaining credit by false pretence from Smart Technology shop at Chinatown in 2019 has adjourned to July 6 for prosecution and defence to settle negotiation and also for setting new trial date.

Police Prosecutor Iete Tebakota said there are some sort of ongoing negotiations regarding the case between the prosecution and defence.

However, since the presiding magistrate is currently on court circuit the matter can be adjourned to another date.

Principal Magistrate Tearo Beneteti then adjourned the case to July 6 and to be relisted before Principal Magistrate Fatimah Taeburi.

This is the case of Martin Pola Nehemiah who is facing three counts in relation to the alleged incident that alleged to have occurred on February 5 2019.

The allegation said the accused met with the owner of the shop and introduce himself as the president of the Accelerate Christian Education Schools of Solomon Islands.

Upon their discussion the shop owner at Smart Technology convinced and agreed for the accused to collect the items discussed and will be re-paid when the school grants are ready.

Later on, February 28 2019 around 10am the accused came and collected one mobile phone at a cost of $2, 250 as according to the agreement and walked out with a proforma invoice, again on 15 March 2019 he collected one notebook laptop14 inches and 1X 8c honour brand mobile, later on March 28 2019, he again went to the Smart technology shop and collected two Redmi mobile handsets.

The total cost of all items collected is $12, 150.00, couple of months later the shop owner made several attempts to call the accused to settle his credits but was unsuccessful.

The shop owner gave him enough time but till this year March 2021 the accused never turned up to settle his credits and the matter was reported to the police in which the accuse Nehemiah was arrested and charged.

Police Prosecutor Iete Tebakota appears on behalf of his colleague Watson Akwai yesterday.

Veke: Australia and Solomon Islands share a robust relationship

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Press Release
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Minister Veke present certificate of appreciation to Commander Paul Osborne

The relationship between the Australian Government and Solomon Islands is ‘always robust’.

Anthony Veke, minister of police, said this during a farewell dinner for the Royal Solomon Island Police Force (RSIPF) and Australia Federal Police (AFP) Policing Partnership Programme (RAPPP) Commander Paul Osborne in Honiara on Tuesday this week.

“We have too much shared history, that it would be wrong not to acknowledge it. This country is forever grateful to Australia, and we will always be appreciative of your support especially in security and policing. It is my hope that this partnership will continue to grow and not cease.

“The partnership that the AFP and RSIPF share and continuity to nurture, is a clear testament of that relationship.

“We have a programme that is beneficial and outreaching in its span, and I expect that this will be built on in the years to come. It is the government’s hope that the RSIPF will grow into a discipline force with a capacity and capability that can be self-sustaining in the future.

“In the future you can all look back and see that RSIPF has grown positively with pride, and know that this was all possible because of your hard work, commitments and partnership. The RSIPF has a lot of areas required for improvement, and we are in a working progress with all our able partners. Therefore, I wish upon us to see it so, and work together to achieve those expected progress.

“Thank you so much for your time as leader of both the RAPPP programme and Deputy Commissioner under the Solomon International Assistance Force (SIAF) programme. These are not easy tasks, to tackle two priority areas simultaneously, and you have again proven yourself capable. I understand last year was not an easy time for our security since the November riots, and SIAF have since then been working hard to restore law and order, as well as, bring trust to our Police Force.

“I understand a lot is expected of SIAF under this program and I hope that as we continue we will address them collectively. I am sad that Commander Osbourne will be departing us at this time, but I trust that the SIAF programme will be in good hands.”

The farewell dinner programme concluded with some presentations of gifts to the outgoing commander.

SICA UPHOLDS STAND

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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SICA Vice Chairman, Rev Bishop Eric Maefonea

Churches maintain opposition to gov’t plans to extend parliament

By EDDIE OSIFELO

SOLOMON Islands Christian Association (SICA) still maintain its stand in opposing the government’s proposal to extend the life of parliament from four to five years.

This came in the wake of a statement from the Office of the Prime Minister following an open dialogue on the issue with SICA and its sister association, the Solomon Islands Full Gospel Association (SIFGA) Monday this week.

The statement claimed the dialogue led to greater understanding by the two church bodies of the government’s intention.

However, SICA vice president, Bishop Rev. Eric Maefonea said there is no resolution or communiqué reached at the end of the dialogue.

Maefonea, who is head of the South Seas Evangelical Church (SSEC), said the officials of Office of Prime Minister and Cabinet only clarified further questions raised by SICA and SIFGA.

But he explained the clarification does not change the stand of SICA on the issue at all.

SICA’s voice adds to the growing string of disapproval by peoples and organisations in the country toward’s DCGA government’s proposal.

Late last month, East Kwaio constituents advised their member of parliament not to bother carrying out a planned visit to the constituency to discuss the extension proposal.

The National Council of Women (SINCW), Transparency Solomon Islands, the parliamentary opposition and independent groups, the umbrella body of civil societies – the Development Services Exchange (DSE), and other prominent bodies and individual citizens have come out since April last year disagreeing with this DCGA proposal.

SICA, which represents the main Christian churches in the country, said the churches “do not welcome the idea of the extension of parliament from [four] to [five] years per term, but would like to see the National General Elections (NGE) taking place next year 2023, few months before the Pacific Games in November.

“We feel that the national constitution and the Pacific games if weighed on a scale, the national constitution would have more weight than the Pacific games. Therefore, we feel that only the Pacific games can be pushed forward to take place in 2024, but not the NGE.

“We feel that the Pacific games (or any other games for that matter), is not in a better position to influence and change our national constitution, we need to avoid that bad precedence.”

Govt enquires about permanent visa status in Australia

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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Australia Foreign Minister Penny Wong meets the press at Henderson last Friday.

By EDDIE OSIFELO

SOLOMON Islands government has asked Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong on the quota in the 3000 permanent visa for Pacific Islands countries.

However, the Australian Labour government is still to finalise the arrangement for the permanent visa.

This is part of the Labour government’s new Pacific migration policies after it came into power recently to allow Pacific Islanders working under the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme to live permanently with their families in Australia.

Initially, the Australia Government issued shorter term visa under the Seasonal Workers Programme and longer-term visa under the Pacific Labour Mobility.

Senator Wong told media before her departure to Adelaide at Honiara International Airport last Friday that the issues of allocation were raised in the meeting with Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare and in her meetings in Fiji, Samoa and Tonga.

“Iam pleased there’s been a positive response.

“Obviously, there are issues we want to work through, including how would we allocate between different Pacific Islands nations,” she said.

Senator Wong said it’s a visa that is modelled on the New Zealand visa arrangement particularly with Polynesian islands.

“So, we will work through the details including how much, what is the allocations for each Pacific Islands nations with your government and others,” she said.

Furthermore, Senator Wong said a youth representative she met at Burns creek clinic spoke to her about labour mobility.

“Obviously we are working with local communities and government on development more broadly.

“But what has been raised with me is labour mobility,” she said.

“We come to your government with a commitment to strengthen labour mobility between our nation and members of the Pacific Islands nations

“I understand this is an area we can assist opportunities as well as economic benefits for families and individuals,” she added.

Currently there are more than 3000 Solomon Islanders working in Australia under the labour scheme in farms, meat industries and age care centres.

China: we value education

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Press Release
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Entry to the ground breaking ceremony at SINU’s Panatina Campus.

China’s Ambassador to Solomon Islands Li Ming says his country values education development and will continue to invest in this sector as the relationship between the two countries continue to grow.

Speaking at a groundbreaking ceremony to mark the start of construction on the Solomon Islands National University (SINU) dormitory project, Ambassador Ming said China is honored to make contributions to the future of Solomon Islands.

“SINU is the national university of Solomon Islands, and the students today will become leaders, engineers, doctors, nurses, teachers and CEOs of the nation in the future, so we are honored to make contributions to the future of Solomon Islands,” he said.

The project consists of 3 brand new 4-floor dormitory buildings, a one-floor activity hall, a one-floor equipment house plus auxiliary projects including greening and road building.

It includes 216 rooms and is able to provide accommodation for more than 900 students.

China will further provide beddings and necessary furniture for each room, so students will be able to move in with only a suitcase.

“Education is a vital area of cooperation and we are willing to promote cooperation between Universities in Solomon Islands and China.

“This is a new area of cooperation with great potential,” Ming said.

There are already 70 Solomon Islands students studying in China and this year the Chinese Government will offer scholarships for another 20 students.

Ming said a Chinese language training program will be the next focus of education cooperation and wish that SINU will house the first Confucius Institute in the country.

The Dormitory Buildings when completed will be used first as the games village for 2023 Pacific Games next year.

 The two governments have been working hard and closely to make sure the construction is completed according to schedule.

Ambassador Ming reiterated that China is committed to building a community of shared future for mankind and stands firmly in helping Solomon Islands friends to achieve its development goals.

Last month, the Chinese State Counsellor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi led a high level delegation to visit Solomon Islands.

The two countries signed nine important documents to promote cooperation in trade, infrastructure, investment, economic and technical cooperation, health, civil aviation, environmental protection and climate change while Honiara city and China’s Jiangmen city established their sister relationship.

Ambassador Ming believes that with the unfolding of a new chapter in the bilateral relations, the cooperation will promote more real and tangible development for Solomon Islands.

– Gov’t Communication Department

Untapped export opportunities in NZ

Written by
Ben Bilua
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Auckland, New Zealand

BY BEN BILUA

Gizo

PACIFIC Trade Investment New Zealand says Solomon Islands has untapped export opportunities in New Zealand.

Speaking to regional journalists on Tuesday, Trade Commissioner Glynis Miller said Solomon Islands has resources with very strong fresh produce in agricultural base, fisheries and timber.

She adds that there is scope for Solomon Islands to grow its footprint in other areas.

Miller said this requires close collaboration between Pacific Trade Investment New Zealand and the government of Solomon Islands.

“It’s important for us to work alongside governments to understand what it is that the government’s priorities are and where they pitch their assistance to exporters in small businesses in Solomon Islands.

“Frozen agricultural products – which for one New Zealand supermarket chain is set to grow by 10% in 2 years – is an immediate opportunity. 

“For Solomon Islands where we often say to most to our clients across the Pacific that the frozen segment in New Zealand is an untapped potential,” Miller said.

“If you look at Countdown, in particular -so the Countdown supermarkets in New Zealand – their growth for, 2020 (to) 2021 and 2022 is around from 35 to 45% …for frozen agricultural produce coming in to New Zealand.

Other Solomon Islands exports to New Zealand are also performing well.

“Solomon Islands …biggest export is timber and still is, about NZD$10 million coming into export to New Zealand, followed by coconut oil sitting around $1.1 million, canned tuna that’s growing from around $250,000 to $1 million, cocoa and chocolate follows after.

“So, I think the outlook for us in working with Solomon Islands is we really need to get a better understanding, and we’re waiting for Solomon Islands borders to open to enable us to do this, is to get in country alongside and work alongside businesses on the ground as well as alongside governments,” Miller said.

She said Pacific Trade Investment New Zealand have been working with few companies in Solomon Islands to grow their exports to New Zealand.

Miller said the future for Solomon Islands export is in fresh produce and kava as well as food and beverages.

“We’re been trying to get in some inroads with the Department of Trade and Commerce as well as with the chamber through the private sector, for private sector to bring to the table some broad minded thinking around and what is it that the private sector in the Solomon Islands has ambitions for, to align itself and achieve government’s ambition to grow its economic development and indeed its exports to New Zealand”.

“So the key areas where we’re seeing export opportunities and some value in investments in these areas, in these sectors,” she said.

Miller said Pacific Trade Investment (PTI)-which has trade Commissioners in Australia, China, Japan and Europe, as well as in New Zealand – has been instrumental in securing international markets for SolTuna.

“I think the most telling one for us has been with SolTuna.

“It took us working with SolTuna and their marketing in Brisbane, the good part of two years to get product to market.

“And that was largely due to market entry requirements that the company had to meet, and then testing the market through product samples.

“So, after two and a half years of market assessments SolTuna has now found its footprint in the New Zealand market and as Pacific Trade Invest NZ we also found regional markets for them in New Caledonia.

“And there was a small test in Cook Islands a couple of years ago,” she said.

Soltuna’s exports to New Zealand have quadrupled in value in recent years.

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