The Strongim Bisnis program, in partnership with the Development Bank of Solomon Islands (DBSI), is providing new opportunities for registered micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in the agriculture and tourism sectors through its Business Transport Assets Financing Facility.
The initiative was highlighted during an information session held at the Youth Hub in Chinatown, Honiara, where business owners learned about a co-financing arrangement designed to help them acquire vehicles and boats to strengthen their operations.
Under the partnership, Strongim Bisnis will contribute 40 percent grant funding, DBSI will provide a 30 percent loan, and participating businesses will contribute the remaining 30 percent.
Strongim Bisnis Partnership Manager for the Cash Crops Sector, Yolarose Houaoli, said the facility aims to improve access to transport assets, helping businesses expand their reach, connect rural producers to markets, and serve more customers.
She said the initiative will reduce the financial burden on businesses seeking to purchase essential transport assets while supporting growth and productivity across the agriculture and tourism sectors.
The program is expected to create broader economic opportunities, particularly in rural and underserved communities, by improving market access and strengthening business operations.
Eligible applicants must be legally registered businesses operating in Solomon Islands for at least three years and actively engaged in agriculture or tourism. Agricultural businesses may include those involved in coconut, cocoa and seaweed production, while tourism operators must be registered with Tourism Solomons.
The co-financing facility represents another important step toward supporting local enterprise growth, enhancing economic resilience, and promoting sustainable development across Solomon Islands.
Gold Ridge landowner company GCIL says it is investing in government bonds and exploring other opportunities to build income beyond mining.
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SATSOL and the Central Bank of Solomon Islands have signed a 24-month Service Level Agreement (SLA) for the provision of colocation and dark fibre services to strengthen the Bank’s disaster recovery and business continuity arrangements.
Under the agreement, SATSOL will provide colocation services at its data centre located at the cable landing station in Lengakiki, Honiara. The facility will allow CBSI to host relevant IT infrastructure at an alternative location, forming part of the Bank’s disaster recovery arrangements.
Colocation is a service that allows an organisation to place its own computer servers, storage equipment and other IT infrastructure in a specialised data centre operated by another service provider. Such facilities are designed to provide a suitable environment for housing critical equipment, including supporting infrastructure such as power, cooling and physical security.
For CBSI, the arrangement provides an alternative location for hosting essential infrastructure, helping the Bank prepare for potential disruptions at its main office.
SATSOL will also provide a dark fibre service, establishing a dedicated fibre-optic link between its data centre and the CBSI office. This connection will enable the Bank to link systems and transfer data between the two locations, supporting reliable connectivity and the implementation of its disaster recovery arrangements.
The agreement marks an important step in strengthening CBSI’s operational resilience by providing telecommunications infrastructure to support the continuity of its critical operations in the event of a disruption.
SATSOL Chief Commercial Office r (CCO) Vivian Wickham said the company was privileged to have been given the opportunity to provide the services to CBSI, describing the Bank as an esteemed organisation and a critical player in the country’s economy.
“We do have the capabilities on the ground in terms of infrastructure and systems, human resources, and we are 100 per cent sure that we will provide the service to the Bank and its services,” Mr Wickham said.
CBSI Deputy Governor Raynold Moveni said the Bank was pleased to engage SATSOL to provide the services, adding that the company had met the Bank’s requirements for third-party service providers.
“We have confidence in you. At CBSI, we have rigorous due diligence and fit-and-proper requirements for any third party providing services to the Bank. By selecting you, it means you have passed all the requirements,” Mr Moveni said.
The 24-month SLA formalises the partnership between CBSI and SATSOL, providing the telecommunications infrastructure needed to support the Bank’s disaster recovery requirements and strengthen its preparedness for potential operational disruptions.
BY JOSES SAREN
A Government technical team has examined Papua New Guinea’s experience in gold refining, mineral processing and resource management as Solomon Islands prepares to strengthen its own minerals sector legislation.
The team undertook a one-week fact-finding mission to Port Moresby from September 20 to 26, 2026, to study the policy, regulatory, financial and institutional arrangements supporting PNG’s mineral resources sector, a statement from the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (OPMC) said.
Led by Permanent Secretary for Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification Dr Chris Vehe, the delegation included senior officials from the Ministry of Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification and the Ministry of Finance and Treasury.
It also included Sam Kaupa, Mineral Sector Advisor to the Prime Minister’s Office, former Finance and Treasury Permanent Secretary Mckinnie Dentana, and Solomon Islands High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea William Soaki.
The government said the delegation held discussions with key institutions and industry stakeholders, including the Mineral Resources Authority, Bank of Papua New Guinea, Kumul Minerals Holdings Limited, Italpreziosi South Pacific Limited and the Mineral Resources Development Company.
The discussions covered gold sector development, refining, downstream processing, resource ownership and management, and ways to retain more economic value from mineral resources within the country.
The statement said the team gained insights into how government agencies, state-owned enterprises, financial institutions and private-sector operators contribute to the management and development of PNG’s minerals sector.
The mission comes as Solomon Islands continues work to strengthen the legislative and institutional framework for responsible and sustainable mineral development.
A Mineral Resources Bill is expected to be presented to Parliament soon, providing a legislative foundation for the sector.
OPMC said the findings from the mission could help inform the country’s ongoing policy and legislative development, particularly in assessing opportunities and challenges associated with mineral processing, refining and adding value to resources locally.
The Government thanked the Papua New Guinea Government, institutions and companies that met with the delegation and shared their technical knowledge and experience.
[Photo caption: The SIG technical team and High Commissioner with the Kumul Minerals Holding Ltd (KMHL), Managing Director, Sarimu Kanu (front, centre). Photo credit: OPMC]
Ba striker’s four-goal IDC campaign renews calls for Solomon Kings FC and national team consideration
BY RICHARD MENANOPO
Solomon Islands striker John Orobulu has strengthened his case for another national team opportunity after playing a key role in Ba FC’s successful FMF Inter-District Championship (IDC) campaign in Fiji, renewing calls for his consideration by the national team and Solomon Kings FC.
The Fiji-based forward scored four goals during the tournament as Ba claimed the 2026 IDC Super Premier Division title, defeating Navua FC 2-0 in Sunday’s final at HFC Bank Stadium in Suva. The victory completed Ba’s clean sweep of Fiji’s four major domestic competitions this season.
According to reports from Oceania Football Center, Orobulu scored twice in Ba’s 3-0 group-stage victory over Nadi on October 8, opening the scoring just 26 seconds into the match before completing his brace in the first half.
He continued his scoring form in the semi-final against Labasa on October 10, putting Ba ahead before the match finished 1-1 after extra time. Ba eventually advanced to the final after winning the penalty shootout.
His performances have renewed discussion among Solomon Islands football supporters following his omission from the national squad for the recent MSG Prime Minister’s Cup in Fiji.
Orobulu’s club record has been impressive. He finished the 2025 Fiji Premier League season as leading scorer with 19 goals in 18 appearances for Rewa before moving to Papua New Guinea’s Hekari United for the inaugural OFC Professional League.
After returning to Fiji with Ba in 2026, he helped the club secure the league title, Fiji FACT and Battle of the Giants before adding the IDC crown to his achievements.
The debate has also extended to Solomon Kings FC, the country’s representative in the OFC Pro League, with supporters calling for the striker to be considered for the club’s 2027 campaign.
Oceania Football Center reported in September that Solomon Islands head coach Ben Cahn had addressed Orobulu’s situation, saying the striker remained under consideration.
“John is on the radar. I watched him closely in the Pro League for Hekari. It’s not my place to comment on past issues,” Cahn was quoted as saying.
Any potential return to the national team or move to Solomon Kings FC would depend on selection assessments, recruitment plans and the player’s circumstances.
For now, Orobulu’s four-goal IDC campaign has provided further evidence of his ability to deliver in front of goal, leaving supporters hopeful that his form will earn him another opportunity to represent Solomon Islands.
[Ba FC striker John Orobulu celebrates with teammates during the 2026 FMF Inter-District Championship in Fiji. His four-goal campaign has renewed calls for his consideration for the Solomon Islands national team and Solomon Kings FC’s 2027 OFC Pro League squad. Photo: Supplied / Oceania Football Center.]
Minister of Finance and Treasury Rexson Ramofafia says Solomon Islands’ participation in the 2026 Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank Group (WBG) provides an opportunity to advance discussions on the country’s development priorities. These include building a resilient economy, improving essential infrastructure and public services,...
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by Jesse Doyle The oil price spike triggered by the ongoing Middle East crisis has proven to be the most disruptive economic shock facing the Pacific and the world since the COVID-19 pandemic. Recent Devpolicy posts have examined the gap between Pacific renewable energy targets and actual delivery, and how,...
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Rexon Ramofafia leads Solomon Islands’ delegation to IMF and World Bank meetings in Bangkok to discuss development priorities. Minister of Finance and Treasury,Rexon Ramofafia, is leading the Solomon Islands delegation to the 2026 Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group (WBG) in Bangkok, Thailand, from 12 to 18 October [...]
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The Asian Development Bank has launched the fifth phase of its Pacific Private Sector Development Initiative, backed by US$12.85 million from ADB and the Government of Australia, in an announcement made in Sydney on 12 October.
BY JOSES SAREN
SolTuna consumes about 430,000 litres of fuel each month, leaving the tuna processor exposed to rising energy costs that it cannot easily pass on to international customers.
Adrian Wickham, a senior adviser representing SolTuna at a public accountability forum in Honiara on Friday, said fuel affects every stage of the company’s operations, from catching and delivering fish to processing, refrigeration and exporting finished products.
Wickham, who has 36 years of experience in the fishing industry, said the increase comes at a difficult time for the sector.
SolTuna processes tuna at Noro for export markets, including the European Union, as well as canned products for local and regional markets.
Of the company’s monthly fuel consumption, about 60 to 65 per cent is used for electricity generation, with the remainder used to produce steam for processing, cooking and sterilising fish and canned products.
Fuel costs also affect the transport of workers, freight charges, procurement and the delivery of fish to the processing plant.
Wickham said SolTuna operates in a competitive export market where it cannot simply increase prices to recover higher operating expenses.
As a result, rising costs put pressure on the company’s profit margins and its ability to compete with international producers.
The company is responding by reviewing energy consumption, production planning, equipment use, logistics, procurement and maintenance to improve efficiency.
It is also building a new cold store with a capacity of 6,000 tonnes, compared with its existing 1,800-tonne facility.
Wickham said the new facility will use improved insulation and a different refrigeration system to reduce energy consumption over time.
SolTuna is also studying the feasibility of using wood chips from Kolombangara Forest Products Limited for its boiler.
Wickham said biomass could potentially reduce the company’s fuel consumption by 40 percent if the proposal proves feasible.
The company is also considering solar energy as part of its longer-term plans.
Wickham calls on the government to provide a more predictable and transparent fuel pricing system so businesses could plan production, investment and employment with greater certainty.
He also urges the government and private sector to accelerate investment in alternative energy sources and more efficient equipment.
The forum was organised by SICCI and MASI to examine the economic effects of rising fuel prices and identify practical measures to protect local industries.
Wickham said maintaining a competitive tuna industry is important not only for companies but also for workers, suppliers, transport operators, fishermen and communities that depend on the sector.
Photo credit: Joses Saren
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BY JOSES SAREN
Fuel costs have risen to 67 per cent of Solomon Power’s total operating costs as higher diesel prices put pressure on the country’s electricity supply.
Solomon Power chief financial officer Joshua Norman Tuasulia said fuel normally accounts for 45 to 55 percent of the utility’s costs, but the latest price increases have pushed that share higher.
He made the remarks during a public accountability forum organised by the Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SICCI) and the Media Association of Solomon Islands (MASI) at Solomon Islands National University’s Kukum Campus on Friday.
Tuasulia said 97 per cent of Solomon Power’s electricity generation relies on diesel, while renewable energy accounts for only three percent.
The utility serves more than 33,000 customers across 12 stations nationwide and employs more than 400 staff.
He said fuel prices had increased by 51 percent, even with the government’s fuel-related tax exemption, adding pressure on the utility’s operating costs.
Solomon Power has introduced tariff-smoothing measures to avoid passing the full increase directly to customers at once. The approach spreads some of the additional costs over a longer period.
However, Tuasulia said the country needs to accelerate its transition away from diesel-based electricity generation.
He pointed to the Tina River Hydropower Development Project and proposed battery storage investment as important parts of the transition to lower-cost generation and greater use of renewable energy.
Tuasulia said the transition will take time, with major energy projects requiring years to develop and in the meantime, businesses and electricity users need greater certainty over energy prices.
He proposed a fuel price risk-management framework, including a possible fuel stabilisation fund that could help absorb price increases and be replenished when prices fall.
Fuel price hedging was another option he suggested to help manage fluctuations and make energy costs more predictable.
The forum brought together representatives from manufacturing, fisheries, maritime transport, delivery and logistics, and power generation to discuss the effects of rising fuel prices and possible responses.
Tuasulia said a faster energy transition and measures to manage fuel price volatility will help the utility and its customers cope with future increases.
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Editor: irwin3angiki@gmail.com
BY JOY OFASIA
The Media Association of Solomon Islands (MASI) and the Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SICCI) held a Public Accountability Forum to discuss the impact of rising fuel prices on the country’s economy and businesses on Friday 9th October at the at Lokol Fusion, Solomon Islands National University (SINU) Kukum Campus. With the theme “Navigating the Surge: Economic Impacts of Fuel Price Volatility on Solomon Islands Industry,” the forum brought together representatives from the manufacturing, fisheries, maritime transport, logistics and power generation sectors.
MASI President Ofani Eremae
MASI President Ofani Eremae welcomed the participants and thanked the industry representatives for taking part in the discussion. “I welcome you all to this event, which is very important,” Mr Eremae said. He said the forum provided an opportunity for participants to come together and discuss accountability issues affecting the country.
“The purpose of this forum event brings us together to talk on accountability issues in our country,” he said. Mr Eremae said that the event was the third forum in the series, providing a platform for public discussion on fuel prices and their impact on the economy. The panelists included Qila Tuhanuku, representing Solbrew in manufacturing; Adrian Wickham of Soltuna in fisheries; Kitchener Wheatly, Vice Chair of the Solomon Islands Maritime Transport Association; John Wanofafia of Cabit in logistics; and Joshua Tuasulia, Chief Financial Officer of Sol Power, representing power generation.
Representatives who attended the forum
During the forum, the representatives were asked to explain how rising fuel prices had affected their operational costs and what immediate adjustments their businesses had made in response also including two concrete policy recommendations or interventions for the Government and industry stakeholders to consider.
The discussions focused on challenges facing businesses, including increased operating costs, supply chain disruptions and financial pressures associated with fuel price increases. The forum provided a platform for the industry representatives to share their experiences and contribute to discussions on addressing the economic effects of fuel price volatility in Solomon Islands.
Australian High Commissioner Jeff Roach said three women students from Solomon Islands National University have completed a six-week internship with contractor Hatanga on the new Seghe Market, now more than 75 per cent complete.
Explore China's political history, from Marxism and Mao to economic reform, and what Solomon Islanders can learn from understanding China's system.
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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU
Regional exchange programs are the key to helping women vendors upgrade their skills, strengthen their businesses, and unlock fresh market opportunities across the Pacific.
Honiara Market Vendors Association (HMVA) chairlady Moreen Sariki made these remarks to Solomon Women’s Newspaper following her return from a major expo in Fiji, where she led a 10-member delegation of Solomon Islands market vendors to build regional networks and explore cross-border cooperation.
Reflecting on the lessons from the Fiji expo, Ms. Sariki highlighted how women from neighbouring Pacific nations creatively use local, natural materials to manufacture high-value handicrafts.
She noted that items such as seeds, shells, and tree bark which are frequently overlooked or discarded in the Solomon Islands can be transformed into lucrative, income-generating products.
The expo also served as a masterclass in cultural preservation, showcasing diverse weaving techniques and demonstrating how Pacific women safeguard traditional knowledge.
Ms. Sariki emphasized the vital importance of reviving and honoring traditional skills passed down through generations, rather than focusing solely on fast, low-quality production for quick cash.
Beyond technical skills, the trip succeeded in establishing deep personal and professional connections with vendors across the region.
Ms. Sariki envisions these newly formed relationships eventually bridging the gap between local sellers and international buyers, paving the way for direct product and knowledge exchanges between Pacific nations.
While in Fiji, the Solomon Islands delegation proactively gathered direct customer feedback to pinpoint exactly which crafts were in highest demand.
Ms. Sariki confirmed that these insights will be systematically shared with craft producers back home to refine product quality, design, and competitive market pricing.
Now back in Honiara, the HMVA chairlady is shifting her focus toward widespread knowledge-sharing to benefit the many local vendors who were unable to travel.
“We will share the skill,” Ms. Sariki stated, pledging to teach local women the advanced sales techniques, unique styling methods, and creative concepts observed abroad.
By blending strengthened traditional craftsmanship with fresh ideas from across the Pacific, she aims to empower women in the informal sector to create unique, durable, and fairly priced products that can compete on a regional stage.
[Honiara Market Vendors Association chairlady Moreen Sarikiand her team at the Fiji expo showcasing their local products. Photo credit Moreen Sariki]
The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development said the trial at Dodo Creek, run with the Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences of China and JQY, is testing whether rice can be produced in Solomon Islands.
The Central Bank of Solomon Islands says a credit reporting system is being set up through the Credit & Data Bureau Solomon Islands, with existing customer records to be uploaded without consumer consent.
所罗门中央银行表示,正在通过所罗门信用与数据局(Credit & Data Bureau Solomon Islands)建立一个信用报告系统,现有客户记录将无需消费者同意进行上传。
Piggery farmers from Malaita’s southern region this week completed a two-day training series designed to boost their productions. Solomon Islands Agriculture Rural Transformation (SIART), a World Bank-funded initiative implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL), delivered the training. Participants included local pig farmers from the Waiasi Piggery Farmers...
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AIM-N identifies coconut, cocoa, cassava and ginger as priority value chains during a stakeholder workshop in Choiseul. A three-day Agricultural Investment for Markets and Nutrition (AIM-N) Stakeholder and Value Chain Development Workshop has strengthened collaboration among government, farmers, private-sector representatives, churches and other stakeholders while identifying four priority agricultural value chains for Choiseul Province. Held [...]
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SIART completes piggery training for five farmer groups in southern Malaita as part of a $6.9 million investment. The Solomon Islands Agriculture Rural Transformation (SIART) Project this week completed a series of two-day trainings for piggery Agribusiness Produce Organizations (ABPOs) in the southern region of Malaita Province. Beneficiaries of the trainings are local pig farmers [...]
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The Dodo Creek rice trial records its first harvest as MALD, JAAS and JQY assess rice production potential in Solomon Islands. The Rice Trial Project at Dodo Creek saw its first harvest yesterday, following a ceremony to officially open the project’s harvesting stage, as the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development (MALD), in partnership with [...]
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