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SoloBis a bi-monthly round-up of Solomon Islands business and economic developments,
February 2010
Welcome to the second edition of “SoloBis”, a bi-monthly newsletter prepared by the New Zealand High Commission, Honiara. SoloBis outlines economic and business developments in Solomon Islands of interest to New Zealand companies. In future it will
be included on the High Commission website (currently under construction). For further information on any of these stories, please contact the New Zealand High Commission, Honiara:
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, placing “SoloBis” in the subject line.
- Minister of Foreign Affairs Hon Murray McCully visited Solomon Islands 17-19 February. - The Minister opened a new NZ-funded Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources Building and signed a partnership arrangement for New Zealand support to fisheries development. He made a visit to the Western Province; in comments to Solomon Islands Ministers he admitted to being “blown away” by its tourism potential.
- Briton Nick Williams was appointed Solomon Islands’ first Telecommunications Commissioner in February. Williams is reported to have worked for the UK Department of Trade and Industry, Vodafone and Ericsson. Williams will oversee the opening of the Solomon Islands telecommunications market to competition, the first step of which was the award of a second mobile licence to PNG-based bemobile in December.
- Meanwhile, Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce President and Chair of the Telecommunications Evaluation Committee Mike Hemmer has rejected claims of bias in the award of the second mobile licence to bemobile, saying that the Committee conducted a rigorous and open assessment process and noting that bemobile had agreed to a substantial (US$10 m) performance bond. Bemobile Chief Executive Julien Coustaury and team visited Honiara in January to progress the establishment of their network.
- A new fast ferry service commenced in December linking Honiara and Auki, the provincial capital of Malaita. “Discovery 360” is operated by Silentworld Ltd and utilises a 150-passenger catamaran brought from New Zealand, which makes the trip in around three hours at about a third of the cost of an airfare.
- In late March/early April a group of paper and print makers from Marovo lagoon in Solomon Islands’ Western Province will exhibit at Pataka Museum in Porirua. Contact:
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- Solomon Islands concluded a new air services agreement with Fiji in January, enabling full passenger rights between
Honiara, Port Vila and Nadi (a route currently flown by Air Pacific).
- Xtreme Adventures launched day trip excursions from Honiara to the Gela (Florida) Islands. Contacts: adventures@
solomon.com.sb Solomon Seaplanes reported to be close to launching a new air charter business utilising a restored, WW II-era
Grumman Goose 8-seater seaplane, plus a Beech-18 8-seater aircraft. Contacts:
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- The Asian Development Bank had a mission in-country in January to consult with a public-private Business Law and Administrative Reform steering committee and the Ministry of Commerce regarding the Companies Act implementation schedule, Companies Act registry formulation, resource requirements for Registry Office and a Customs Legislation Review.
- Guadalcanal-based C-Corp began exporting premium quality cocoa beans to Japan for use by chocolate-maker Chidoriya.
- The Makira roading component of the Solomon Islands Road Improvement Programme has been awarded to NZ firm McConnell Dowell – some 70 km of road and 25 wet crossings will be updated over the next 2 years. The team will be fielded from February 2010. Contact Mark Liersch – e-mail:
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- Police housing project has gone to international tender – closing date 29 March 2010. Sinclair Knight Merz (SKM) as Managing Contractors for the RAMSI Infrastructure and Related Services Program in Solomon Islands, are inviting suitably qualified Suppliers to tender for the design and supply of an initial 34 ‘Kit’ homes to be delivered to four (4) sites in the Solomon Islands. With a secondary 50 “Kit’ homes delivered to an additional two sites. Interested Contractors should apply to SKM’s Structural Engineer Dara Doldo, email:
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or phone +677 39135 to register their interest and request tender documentation.
- Solomon Airlines reopened its business class Belama Lounge at Henderson International Airport, Honiara, in January.
SoloBis snuck a peek – it’s pretty flash.
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