Welcome To Solomon Islands In Focus

As a long­time friend of the Solomon Islands, let me say the aim of this website is to bring you news about the Solomon Islands, promote tourism to the "Happy Isles” and generate donations for causes in the Solomons that will provide income for charitable institutions dependent on aid and help to give much needed money for local craftsmen and women.

I would encourage you to see for yourself a most unique and different part of the world and meet friendly, hospitable people while enjoying the sheer delights and beauty of a easy accessible Pacific paradise.

CALL TO REPORT CORRUPTION

Solomons Ministry urges public to report corrupt officials

Quoting Radio New Zealand International – 19 February 2018

“The Solomon Islands Forestry Ministry is urging the public to report corrupt officials.

“A statement from the ministry, published in the Solomon Star newspaper, encourages people to report allegations to ministry headquarters so they can be investigated.

“The statement followed a report in the paper last week about a landowner in Malaita who said local forestry officials regularly travel to Honiara to ask logging companies for money.

“The ministry's permanent secretary Vaeno Vigulu said people should report the names of those involved to his office rather than go to the media.

“Dr Vigulu said the ministry did not tolerate corruption and promised any matters reported would be dealt with promptly.”

Copyright :   Radio New Zealand International.  (All Rights Reserved)

ROC FUNDING FOR SANITATION PROJECT

Honiara :  12 January 2016

The Niuleni and Funafou communities in the northern region of Malaita Province are the proud recipients of a $3-Million sanitation project funding provided by the Republic of China Government through Prime Minister Hon Manasseh Sogavare.

PROPOSED CRAFT MARKET HOPED TO BRING MULTIPLE BENEFITS

 
 Honiara : 3 April 2017
 
The Solomon Islands Government’s plan to build a Craft Market Center in Honiara will bring multiple benefits to the country, it is anticipated.
 
Early this week, Government officials from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade met with donor partners in Honiara to discuss the proposal.
 
The information session was geared towards fostering partnerships with donors to explore opportunities for involvement in the project to support a formal business framework for the growth of the local arts and cultural industry.
 
 The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Andrew Nihopara, said prospects for tourism to thrive on the country’s cultural industry is huge and will continue to increase.
 
“There are increasing opportunities with the cruise ship sector - as frequency of visits is anticipated to increase over the next two years,” Mr Nihopara said.  
 
While the economic prospects of the cultural industry will continue to gain momentum with more business opportunities, Mr Nihopara said the social prospect where people will further engage in the protection and promotion of tangible and intangible cultural heritage will also continue to grow.
 
At the business level, this infrastructure is vital to support the current engagement in businesses by women groups, youth groups, communities and individuals to have a proper facility and space to conduct business.  
 
At the national level, this Facility will enhance and support the country’s national capacity to host national, regional and international events that promote cultural exchanges, exhibitions and to showcase cultural creativity.  
 
“Having a permanent structure that supports events will also ensure that events are hosted on a regular basis with minimal budget as there will be no need to continue erecting costly temporary structures,” Mr Nihopara said.
 
The Government is giving an opportunity for donors to be part of this development project to establish a national platform for people’s social interface, economic interaction and cultural exchange of the country’s unique and creative cultures with international visitors.  
 
This infrastructure development will enhance Solomon Islanders participation in a sustainable economic engagement at the micro-economic level.   
 
The Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade are taking the leading role in the dialogue process with donors and other key Government Ministries together with local tourism operators.
 
Source:  Solomon Islands Government Press Release.
 

CONSIDERING NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE

 Solomon Islands Acting PM calls for tough intelligence network

Quoting the Solomon Star newspaper – 11 June 2018

“THERE is a need to strengthen national and regional intelligence networks in the region.

“That's according to the Acting Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare when speaking as the guest speaker at the opening of the two day South Pacific Intelligence Dialogue held in Honiara recently.

“The Finance Minister said it is an important matter of concern that all pacific island countries must work collaboratively towards.

“The successful implementation of any security decision rests on the value of intelligence received. Like they say, timely and quality intelligence provides better platform for states to make good decisions for the wellbeing of their country,” he said.

“However, the acting Prime Minister said he is pleased to note that our regional countries have been cooperating well on the matter concerned through the regional framework and bilateral cooperation.

“Pacific island governments and intelligence groups must continue to work with communities and security agencies to build networks and partnerships that will help address the threat to our own national security, he highlighted.”

“Our challenge is not made any easier by the diversity of our region and the never ending stretches of maritime boundaries and geographical features. This diversity makes our region more susceptible to crime syndicates and opportunists who are taking advantage to exploit our existence,” he said.

“But Mr Sogavare said our obligations remain the same and that is national security is the platform upon which our nations are built.

“Keeping our region safe is our core responsibility and that demands greater cooperation from all of us,” he said.


“He added that the emphasis on cooperation is a very important call and that is when it comes to security in the region the message that we must take in is we are not and should not be operating in isolation of each other.

“We literally become our brother’s keeper,” he said.”

Copyright:  Solomon Star

 

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