Lines at banks on Fridays are usually a long, torrid and time consuming affair.
But today customers at the Bank of South Pacific experienced extreme conditions as they waited to be served, as the bank adopting a new operating system.

Tourism and Hospitality Studies have once again come into the spotlight in Parliament with Culture and Tourism Minister Seth Gukuna – informing the national parliament of an increase in applicants to study tourism at the College of Higher Education.

Local real estate agent Julie Haro from Premier Real Estates has reiterated the call for more local businesses.
With the recent success of her Business – as one of the first locally owned real estate companies in the country – Premier Real Estates is currently undergoing an upgrade to its set up – and its owner Julie Haro says – we as a country need more indigenous owned businesses.

The Governor of the Central Bank Denton Rarawa has confirmed that the Global Economic Crisis appears to be bottoming out.
The Central Bank Governor who appeared before a chamber of commerce gathering today says there are positive signs of recovery in major economies, and for Solomon Islands in order to take full advantage of the global recovery must make changes to face its economic challenges.

Honiara’s Chinatown continues to be booming. After all the drama during the April riots in 2006 – three years on – and Chinatown now, has undergone quite a make-over.
But there have been concerns on the number of new Chinese businesses being established in Chinatown – and the fact that most are operating just the same type of business as their predecessor.

In recent months Honiara has experienced a surge in street sellers – selling trinkets, watches perfumes, pens and all sorts of products on the city’s main streets.
With the City Council’s recent crack down on betel nut vendors in and around the CBD earlier in the year– it seems these days former betel nut vendors are turning to other products to make a sale.
But some street sellers have told One News that they are being backed by Chinese business houses.

The National Carrier Solomon Airlines says existing airstrips in and around the provinces must be upgraded – to cater for wider coverage of airline services.
This – the airline says – should be priority for both National and Provincial Governments – if tourism is going to get a good push forward.

The Noro Industrial Town is one of the country’s main industrial zones.
But the area’s development has been hindered by lack of funds from the National Government.
Although the Government acknowledges Noro’s strategic importance to the country the Ministry of Commerce says money put aside to develop Noro has had to be revised because of adverse economic conditions.

Solomon Airlines continues to count down the days to the arrival of its leased Airbus A320-200 Aircraft. From its humble beginnings some 47 years ago – the arrival of the new Airbus will be a significant milestone for the National Carrier.
Commercial Manager Gus Kraus – reflected on the earlier days, saying the airline has really come a long way – and there has definitely been a lot of changes over the years.

Our Telekom in its latest development expansion of its Breeze GSM service coverage nationwide continues – with its latest launch held yesterday at Tinggnoa, Renbel Province.
This year Our Telekom plans to roll out 30 IPGSM base stations for mobile services from various locations all through out the country.

No doubt over the past week one of the hottest topics of discussion has been the proposed increase in the number of Parliamentary seats – this in turn has prompted debate over whether the Government is doing the right thing.
The Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce is saying – Government needs to really take a holistic approach through its actions before even thinking of expanding Parliament – as it is now the Chamber of Commerce says Governments priorities are not straight.

Solomon Airlines in its leading role as national flag carrier – say in order for the airline to grow tourism – they must pay attention to their wholesale market – Australia and New Zealand.
Recently the national carrier has appointed a new sales agent in the United States – this comes as Solomon Airlines steps up its services as the country’s front line tourism promoter.

The national flag carrier Solomon Airlines has all the reason to be excited – in less than a months time the airline is expecting its leased Airbus A320-200 aircraft from Australia’s Strategic Airlines to arrive in the country to commence its on line flight operations.
General Manager Commercial Gus Kraus speaking told One News that it is a huge step for the airline given that this will be the first time such an aircraft will be carrying out flight operations from Honiara.

The Central Bank of Solomon Islands today conveyed its congratulations to the ANZ bank for appointing its first Solomon Islander as country head of its operations.
David Dennis becomes the first Solomon Islander to be appointed to such position abroad.

Chairman of the Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce, Mike Hemmer in his recent address to last weeks 1st ever Australia Solomon Islands forum – said Solomon Islands does have the tools it needs to dig itself out of its problems.
Hemmer says along with Tourism, Agriculture and Mining – Manufacturing too has its potentials for the country.

Following the recent passing by Parliament of the Foreign Investment (Amendment and Validation) Bill 2009 – Parliament continued in its third reading today.

Chairman of the Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce Mike Hemmer at the 1st Australia Solomon Islands Business Forum held in Brisbane Australia – outlined three main impediments the country as a whole and investors in general are currently facing.
The forum a first of its kind – also saw the attendance of Australian Minister for Trade Simon Crean.

In a boost for the Solomon Islands Electricity Authority – the World Bank has launched its project to reform the national power authority.
The project aims to significantly increase the reliability of energy supply to Honiara over the next three years by reforming SIEA’s operations.

The Government says the future of the country’s economy now lies firmly in the mining and tourism sector.
With the logging industry experiencing what is expected to be its demise – the prime minister says the country’s future lies in new fields.

The recent agreement between Government and Telekom to remove its exclusive monopoly has been hailed, by the Prime Minister as the way forward for the country.
Prime Minister thanked Government task force and Telekom share holders for the good faith in successfully signing the deal.