Press Materials
31st March, 2010: Diagnostic Trade Integration Study (DTIS) Book Launch. The DTIS is a first major nationwide initiative to analyse the current trade landscape of Solomon Islands and was conducted between 2007 and 2009 by a team of local and international consultants. It includes a comprehensive assessment of the country’s macroeconomic environment, investment climate, export performance, international policy environment and constraints that Solomon Islands exports face in international markets. More on the Integrated Framework background information can be read here.
Solomon Islands Honourable Prime Minister Dr. Derek Sikua, delivered the keynote speech and officially launched the study on the 31st March. The launch was attended by all trade related stakeholders. The Keynote Address was delivered by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade Hon. William Haomae, highlighting the importance of the study. Director of External Trade, Mr. Hence Vaekesa highlighted some of the recommendations contained in the action matrix within the DTIS which can be viewed here.
In addition, the European Union (EU) Delegation to Honiara, in its role as the IF Lead Donor Facilitator in Solomon Islands Integrated Framework, congratulated the Solomon Islands Government (SIG) on the realisation of this important document. The EU Delegation highlighted that promoting trade in the Solomon Islands is a complex task that requires a comprehensive analysis and response to multiple dimensions. This document forms an important source of relevant information to enhancing trade and beyond that, the economic and social development of Solomon Islands. In its role as Donor coordinator, the EU Delegation forms the crucial link between the donor community and the SIG and is responsible for keeping the discussions ongoing.
30th March, 2010: Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade, Honourable William Haomae held a media conference to raise awareness about the launching of the Solomon Island 2009 Diagnostic Trade Integration Study (DTIS) which will be held in Mendana Hotel on the 31st of March 2010. When speaking to the Media, he highlighted that the purpose of the DTIS book launch is three fold. First, awareness about the importance of trade, second to raise the profile of trade in the national agenda and third to connect all stakeholders with the DTIS and to have a sence of ownership in the process. The statement can be viewed here
17–18th June, 2009: Forum Trade Ministers met in Apia, Samoa to discuss various regional trade issues, including the possibility of new trading arrangements known as PACER Plus. Minister Haomae, in his capacity as Lead Spokesman for Forum island countries on PACER Plus issues, made a statement at the beginning of PACER Plus discussions. The statement is available here.
13–15th May, 2009: Pacific trade officials met in Vanuatu to discuss a possible new trade agreement with Australia and New Zealand known as “PACER Plus”. Countries agreed on the positive potential of the proposal, but remain divided over crucial details… read more.
Solomon Islands underwent its second Trade Policy Review by the World Trade Organisation in Geneva on 6th and 8th May, 2009. Solomon Islands has been a Member of the WTO since 1996, and completed its first Review in 1998. The WTO has issued a press release.
March, 2009: ECDPM has published “Contentious Issues in the Interim EPAs”, a discussion paper on the outstanding differences between the ACP and EC positions in the negotiation of an Economic Partnership Agreement… the discussion paper can be downloaded here.
11th March, 2009: Export certificates “Forms A” are now available from the Marketing and Export Promotion Division of Commerce. These forms can be used to gain preferential market access into the European Union as well as many other countries… read more.
December, 2008: DET releases “Preference Erosion: Consequences of the Completion of Doha and Implications for the EPA“… download now.
9th December, 2008: Solomon Island Integrated Framework-Diagnostic Trade Integration study will be holding a validation workshop on the 11th and 12th of December 2008… read more.
21st October, 2008: Haomae Selected as Pacific Trade Leader. William Haomae was selected to temporarily play the role of lead spokesman for the Pacific ACP group in negotiating the controversial EPA with the EC… read more.
20th October, 2008: Haomae on Alcohol and Tobacco in Trade Agreement. William Haomae, Solomon Islands’ Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade, told his Pacific counterparts that Solomon Islands would consider including alcohol and tobacco in the PICTA… read more.
13th October, 2008: First RSE Agent Licensed. The first agent was granted a certificate to recruit under the RSE scheme on Monday… read more.
3rd September, 2008: RSE Recruitment Agents can now apply for certification from the Labour Mobility National Coordinator Heinz Vaekesa… read more.
29th August, 2008: Government to put in place national recruitment mechanism for seasonal workers. The first meeting of the national Labour Mobility Oversight Committee (LMOC), a body responsible for overseeing national recruitment policy for labour mobility schemes, took place on Wednesday, August 27, 2008 at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade… read more.
30th July 2008: Solomon Islands Government sent a delegation of officials to meet with employers and government officials in New Zealand to discuss ways to enable more workers from Solomon Islands to work in New Zealand picking fruit in future… read more.
5th-9th May 2008: The IF NIU is hosting the Preliminary Mission which includes representatives from IF Secretariat, UNDP Geneva and Fiji and the Team Leader. The main purpose of the mission is to briefly collect information in-respect of the DTIS. During the opening, Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade, Hon. William Haomae delivered a speech… read more.
13th March, 2008: Team Leader Choosen for Trade plan as Mr. Dan Gay. The IF-Focal Point, Mr. Heinz Vaekesa, announce this after the NSC endorsed the Appointment… read more.
