Solomon Islands

ADB pushes open skies

He made the comment during a recent visit to Fiji and cited key priorities Pacific Opportunities: Leveraging Asia's Growth that would strengthen Pacific Island countries' links with Asian countries.

On shipping, Takehiko said, initial experience in Vanuatu and Solomon Islands suggested that subsidising the private sector on a competitive basis to undertake shipping routes to remote communities could be a better approach than through inefficient state-owned enterprises.

More reshuffled Solomon Islands ministers take oaths

This comes after reports of discontent among some of the reshuffled ministers, including the former forestry minister Bodo Dettke.

Officials at Government House say five of the six reshuffled ministers have now taken their oaths - the latest being Bodo Dettke who now becomes the Minister of Culture and Tourism and Freda Tuki taking the portfolio for Youth, Women and Children's Affairs.

Tuki says she was swayed to take the new post after talking with her constituents.

Solomons government cancels 30+ Agro-forestry permits

The government says the revocation came because it understands exemption orders allowing companies to fell timber for uses other than the export of round logs were being abused.

The government says agencies have been mobilised to ensure the revocation of the permits is adhered to.

One of the areas where the issue has impacted negatively is on Mono in Shortland Islands.

Ongoing tensions between landowners and logging companies have resulted in armed conflict that the government says has divided communities and become a national security issue.

MSG Trade and Economic Meetings in Fiji

The meetings are being held at the Tanoa International Hotel, Nadi, Fiji. 

Senior officials and representatives from Fiji, PNG, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu will be in attendance as part of talks towards a new and more comprehensive trade agreement - MSGTA3 – that will now include Trade in Services, and new chapters such as Labour Mobility, Investment, and Telecommunications. 

MSG Leaders have directed that a draft legal text of the trade agreement must be ready by November 2015.

The meetings include: 

Lost Solomons fishermen found at Fead Island

Bouganville Provincial Disaster Coordinator Franklyn Lacey says the men were found drifting at sea by locals last week.

It is not clear exactly how the two went missing however Lacey says medical officials on the island have been requested to provide medical assistance to them.

Next tier of Pacific rugby nations Oceania Cup

Cook Islands won the biennial event two years ago but will not defend their title, choosing to focus their limited resources on November's Olympic Sevens Qualifier.

Newcomers American Samoa open proceedings against Solomon Islands at Sir Hubert Murray Stadium, followed by hosts Papua New Guinea against Tahiti, in the first round of matches.

The General Manager of Rugby PNG, Frank Genia, says pride and silverware aren't the only things on up for grabs.

Solomons' sawn timber audits planned

The export market for sawn timber from Solomons' community operators is continuing to grow but consumers' are increasingly demanding that it is sourced from legally and sustainably managed forests.

The New Zealand Imported Tropical Timber Group has had a number of contacts with Solomons' operators this year, leading to commitments to develop a system of third party legality assurance over the next two years.

The Group's Malcolm Scott says this will allow audits of sawn timber production.

Solomons' Malaita to pursue sovereignty

Peter Chanel Ramohia says a Provincial Assembly special select committee is being appointed to draw up a roadmap and timetable for consultations with Malaitan leaders and the national government.

The Premier says a sovereign Malaita nation was not a declaration of independence.

He made the comments before the Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare in the provincial capital Auki during provincial celebrations.

Solomon PM announces cabinet reshuffle

Announcing these changes, the Prime Minister said, “With the proposed Forestry Reforms currently being undertaken by the DCC Government and due to the significance this sector has on the national economy, we want to ensure that any progress made to effectively regulate the industry, maximise returns and improve sustainability, is not compromised by personal conflict of interests which might complicate the process.”

“For this reason the Hon Bodo Detkke will now be mandated with the important task of driving this government’s priority sector as the new Minister for Tourism”

Solomon Islands/NZ talks successful

Speaking during a press conference held after the meeting PM Sogavare thanked everyone who turned up for the high level talk, while warmly welcoming the presence of the New Zealand delegation into the country.

Sogavare reiterated on the historical friendship of both countries, which has been in existence for 37 years now since Solomon Islands gained independence.