During a courtesy call with Japan’s new Ambassador to the Solomon Islands, Higuchi Keiichi, Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele highlighted the importance of the Bina Harbor project.

He emphasized that it is a key priority for the Government for National Unity and Transformation (GNUT) and a significant topic in discussions with Japan’s Prime Minister during the recent Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM) in Tokyo.

The Prime Minister outlined the project’s potential benefits, including job creation and major infrastructure development for Malaita Province.

He expressed gratitude for Japan’s ongoing support to the Solomon Islands, including assistance with key infrastructure projects and contributions to human capital development.

PM Manele also acknowledged Japan’s timely support during the COVID-19 pandemic and its efforts to clear unexploded ordnance (UXOs) in the country.

He reaffirmed the Solomon Islands’ commitment to strengthening its bilateral relationship with Japan.

In response, Ambassador Keiichi assured PM Manele of Japan’s continued support for the Bina Harbor Project and expressed a desire to collaborate with the Ministry of Fisheries and the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet to ensure its success.

He also highlighted opportunities to work on education and healthcare initiatives, emphasizing his intention to build on the work of his predecessor.

BY INDY MAEALASIA

GOVERNOR-General David Tiva Kapu has emphasized the need for the country to address social issues stemming from high unemployment rates.

In his New Year’s message last week, Kapu pointed out that the country’s large unemployment problem is largely due to the high number of school dropouts and graduates struggling to find meaningful employment.

He stressed the importance of providing young people with trade skills and helping them develop a positive outlook on life.

The Governor-General also expressed gratitude to the governments of Australia, New Zealand, and Canada for their support through initiatives such as the Labour Mobility Scheme, which has provided employment opportunities to thousands of Solomon Islanders.

“This support has helped offer employment to thousands of our men and women,” he added.

For feedback, contact: [email protected]

BY JOHN HOUANIAHAU

A Silver Fruit Dove bird species was discovered within the Nasi Land Resources Conservation site in West Are’are Malaita province.

This was according to Solomon Island Ranger Association Program Manager Edward Haikau Huitarau.

“Local rangers of Nasi recently found a bird species called Silver Fruit Dove. This bird species scientifically known as Ptilinopus superbus was found within the riparian buffer zone of Nasi Land Resources Conservation Foundation (NLRCF),’’ he said.

He said that the male Dove has a colourful body with a purple crown orange nape and shoulders.

He said that the NLRCF rangers are voluntarily doing good work already as far as conservation is concerned for them.

“Thus, I believe once we’ve carried out a full species baseline survey within the terrestrial forest and along the streams it will add several specimens to the bird collection, but utilising this as the sample collected was important for such a new conservation site,’’ he said.

He said that the exciting thing about the sighting was the fact that it was never thought that Nasi could host this sort of beautiful species as it was not regularly sighted.

“This now opens the possibility for further baseline surveys that would pave the way for further study.

“In going forward, there are many ways to expose children to the ideas of wildlife protection and here is one of the few suggestions; that is by way of actively engaging children at the appropriate age to discuss threats to birds and wildlife and their environment in terms of deforestation, habitat destruction and human impact on the environment, for example,’’ he said.

He said that the NLRCF rangers are raising young children to become conservationists who protect wildlife by actively engaging children.

For feedback, contact: [email protected]

BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) welcomed six new volunteers who arrived in Honiara yesterday under the Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers program (JOVC).

JICA Solomon Islands Program Officer James Niaseka said the six volunteers will begin their assignment at various organisations next month, on the 3rd, for two years after undertaking various briefings, Pijin language training, and cultural lessons for three weeks in Honiara.

He said the six volunteers are Mr Kanto Yamashita who will be assigned to SIFF as a coach, Ms. Ayame Yoshida will serve as a teacher at St John School and Ms. Yumeno Fujii who will be assigned to work with Isabel Provincial Government Environment and Climate Change office.

He said that Ms. Hitomi Sugihara, a nurse will be assigned to Buala Hospital while Mr Kazuki Mizuhara a teacher by profession will be assigned to Auki Primary School in Malaita province and Ms. Sugihara a nurse will be assigned to Helena Goldie Hospital in Munda Western province.

He said that the JOVC program is one of Japan’s technical cooperation schemes operated as part of JICA’s Official Development Assistance (ODA).

He said that the program dispatches eager Japanese citizens who wish to participate in assisting developing countries and also has called for assistance from their governments.

He said that this reflects the commitment of the JICA Solomon Islands to focus not only in Honiara but also within the provinces.

For feedback, contact: [email protected]

BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

The recent mission of the Solomon Islands People First Party (SIPFP) to Beijing, China was an investment mission and not a move to destroy the Government for National Unity and Transformation (GNUT).

This is according to SIPFP Mission’s team leader, Minister for Agriculture (MAL) Franklyn Wasi when he responded to Alfred Sasako’s ‘IN FOR THE KILL’ article on this week’s Monday Solomon Star front page.

According to the article, SIPFP was on the move to destroy GNUT with a secret visit to China soon after the withdrawal of MONC and sought to establish links with China and business leaders in case the GNUT leadership collapsed.

“Our trip was to meet with investors regarding the oil palm development in Vella La Vella,’’ Wasi told Island Sun on Tuesday via phone interview.

“For your information, this oil palm development is for North and South Vella La Vella. It is located in the Oula Basin. So, the team I led included myself, the Minister for Provincial Government, the Minister for Aviation, the Minister of Justice, the MP for Marovo, and the MP for Vonunu Rence Sore.

“The Vella La Vella oil palm development is one of the policy priorities of GNUT for the MAL. We went there to meet with the investors. We signed an MoU with them. The next step is for me to present the cabinet paper to the cabinet to form the parliamentary subcommittee and task force to spearhead this project,” said Wasi.

Wasi said that Sasako’s mention that the PM was not aware of their trip is false and misleading.

“We used our diplomatic passport to leave the country and have the permit from Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele for me to lead the team Beijin China,” he said.

He said that he was surprised at how Sasako wrote about something he knew nothing about.

“Claiming that we want to down GNUT. I don’t know who gives him the information he gives out to people.

Mr Wasi also presented the revised, finalised draft cabinet memorandum copy and paste in Cabinet Memorandum format for the Minister’s presentation.

The document presented to Island Sun showed that the SIPFP Investment Mission met with three Chinese State-Owned Enterprises: China Enterprise Reform and Development Society, China National Agriculture Development Company Limited, and Shanghai Wiheng Construction Engineering Company Limited.

The document also showed after the fruitful discussion a Memorandum of Outcome was signed between the Solomon Islands Government, represented by the Minister for Agriculture and Livestock, and Shanghai Wiheng Construction Engineering Company Limited.

It adds that the MOU stipulates the responsibilities of (1) the Solomon Islands Government, (2) Shanghai Wiheng Construction Engineering Company Limited, and (3) Joint Responsibilities of both parties to the Understanding.

According to the document the cabinet, therefore, is requested to note the Memorandum on Oula Basin Oil Palm Development Project, endorse the Memorandum on Oula Basin Oil Palm Development Project, approve the Establishment of Sub-Committee on Oula Basin Oil Palm Development Project, approve the establishment of Task-Force on Oula Basin Oil Palm Development Project.

For feedback, contact: [email protected]

BY NED GAGAHE

Tax exemptions for Solomon Islands’ investors is set to have an improved mechanism of accountability and transparency.

In an exclusive interview with Island Sun yesterday, Minister for Finance and Treasury, Manasseh Sogavare, announced new measures aimed at improving the decision-making process for tax exemptions granted to investors in the Solomon Islands.

Sogavare emphasized the need for stricter monitoring and accountability, following concerns over the use of tax exemptions.

The Minister revealed that he has issued a comprehensive 16-page set of instructions to the Exemption Committee, outlining how they should assist him in making informed decisions regarding exemptions.

“All the fixing will be coming here, under the new instructions we have given them,” Sogavare said.

“This is a full 16-page instruction to improve the way the minister is assisted in making these decisions. They must continue to monitor exemptions.”

Sogavare made it clear that if the Exemption Committee fails to carry out its responsibilities effectively, he will take action.

“If they are not doing their job, I can move and slash off the exemptions granted,” he warned.

The Minister stressed that tax exemptions are a form of indirect budgetary assistance to investors, and the government holds a serious responsibility to ensure these exemptions are being properly utilized.

“There’s nothing wrong with the government assisting investors in this country. Nothing wrong whatsoever,” Sogavare stated.

“Anyone who complains about this, you’re probably living up in the moon. You don’t know what’s happening in this country.”

Sogavare also expressed frustration with those who have criticized the government’s policies on exemptions, especially those who may not fully understand the government’s stance on supporting investment.

“These ministers, and people who put out these demands, don’t even know the policy of their government. The GNUT government is here to support investors,” he said.

The Minister’s comments come amid mounting debate about the government’s practice of granting tax exemptions to foreign investors, including a recent case leaked in social media this week where Xiao’s Henderson Hotel Ltd, a Chinese developer, received more than $15.2 million in exemptions.

The exemptions have sparked discussions about the fairness and transparency of such policies, as well as concerns about the long-term implications for public revenue.

Despite the criticisms, Sogavare remained firm in his stance that supporting investors is critical to the country’s economic development.

He reiterated the government’s commitment to fostering a favorable environment for investment and emphasized the role of the Exemption Committee in ensuring that the country’s resources are being used effectively.

“We are here to support investors. I am really upset and concerned about the people who came up with this issue and criticize the government to cause political instability.” Sogavare said.

For feedback, contact: [email protected]

BY NED GAGAHE

Finance Minister Sogavare says exemptions will be, things of the past after 2026.

Speaking exclusively to Island Sun yesterday, the Minister for Finance and Treasury outlined the government’s ongoing efforts to reform the taxation system in the Solomon Islands.

Sogavare emphasized the importance of supporting strategic sectors such as tourism and the role tax exemptions play in facilitating investments in these sectors.

According to Sogavare, the country’s current tax system is severely lacking.

“Our tax system is grossly deficient and structurally the worst tax system in all countries worldwide. That’s why we are undertaking a serious and major reform of the government’s taxation system,” he said.

Sogavare also highlighted the government’s plan for comprehensive tax reform set to take place in 2026.

“After 2026, all of these outdated taxes will be eliminated. There will be no more goods tax, We will be introducing a value-added tax (VAT), and tax exemptions will be a thing of the past,” he revealed.

The finance minister stated that tax exemptions are currently an essential tool for making the tax system more equitable for investors.

“The only way to make the tax system fair for investors in this country is to grant tax exemptions. This is the basis on which these exemptions are granted,” he explained.

However, he acknowledged the need for reform to ensure long-term sustainability and fairness in the tax system.

Sogavare also addressed the concerns about accountability in the process, assuring that there is a robust monitoring mechanism in place to oversee the use of tax exemptions.

“There is a checking mechanism in place. It’s not all wrong. We have continuous monitoring to ensure that exemptions are being used correctly and benefit the country as a whole,” he said.

This interview comes amid growing criticisms regarding the government’s tax policies, particularly the recent granting of over $15.2 million in tax exemptions to Xiao’s Henderson Hotel Ltd, a Chinese hotel developer.

While the exemptions have sparked controversy, Minister Sogavare defended the policy as necessary to encourage investment in critical sectors, particularly tourism.

For feedback, contact: [email protected]