Telebere News

Young entrepreneurs in Honiara will soon have a new platform to showcase their talents and grow their businesses following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Young Entrepreneurs Council Solomon Islands (YECSI) and the King Solomon Hotel. The agreement, signed today at the hotel’s Troppo Restaurant, formalises a partnership to host a Monthly Sunday Arts and Crafts Market at the King Solomon Hotel. The MOU was signed by Hotel Manager Ms Carolyn Blacklock and YECSI Vice Chairlady Ms Debbie Lukisi. Speaking at the signing, Ms Lukisi acknowledged the strong support shown by the hotel’s management in endorsing YECSI’s proposal. She said the partnership offers a meaningful opportunity to begin 2026 on a positive and empowering note for young entrepreneurs. “This collaboration creates an accessible and supportive space for our members to promote and market their products while building confidence and business skills,” Ms Lukisi said. Moses Jnr Aumana, Co...

Nominations are now open for the second annual Women’s Leadership Award under the Australia Awards program, recognising outstanding women leaders who are driving development across the Solomon Islands. The award honours a female alumna of the Australia Awards for her exceptional contribution to national development and community progress. The successful recipient will receive a cash grant of AUD 5,000 to support her ongoing professional development and leadership journey. The Women’s Leadership Award celebrates women who demonstrate excellence, resilience and dedication in their respective fields. It recognises leaders who inspire positive change, break barriers, create opportunities for others and serve as role models for future generations. Women leaders in the Solomon Islands continue to play a vital role in shaping communities and strengthening institutions across sectors including education, health, business, governance and civil society. Through this award, Australia ...

Tourism development in Solomon Islands’ Western Province has received a significant boost with the official opening of Phase One of the new Zaru Hotel in Gizo. The hotel was officially opened by Minister for Culture and Tourism, Hon. Choylin Yim Douglas, who described the development as a milestone for the province and the country’s broader tourism growth strategy. Minister  Choylin Yim Douglas  officially opening Zaru Hotel assisted by Wendy Kwan the daughter of the hotel’s owner, Mr Jacob Kwan. The first phase of the project features 16 guest rooms, a fully equipped conference facility, and commercial rental spaces. The new infrastructure is expected to strengthen Gizo’s position within the Solomon Islands’ main tourism corridor by supporting leisure visitors, business travellers, and small-scale events. The addition of conference facilities marks a notable shift for Western Province, which has traditionally been known for leisure tourism. The new space opens opportuniti...

Pig farmers in Gwaonaoa village, West Kwara’ae, Malaita Province, are transitioning from traditional subsistence farming to a structured commercial agribusiness model through a partnership between the Solomon Islands Government and the World Bank. The initiative is supported under the Solomon Islands Agriculture Rural Transformation (SIART) Project, implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL) with funding from the World Bank. Through the project, the Gwaonaoa community has established the Arise Rural Farm Community Company Limited to modernise and strengthen its local piggery operations. The company is one of 45 Agribusiness Producer Organisations (ABPOs) in Malaita Province currently receiving targeted support under SIART. Infrastructure and Financial Support The transition is backed by a $200,000 grant agreement aimed at upgrading infrastructure and ensuring the long-term sustainability of the piggery business. Chairperson Anthony Aumae said the funding i...

When it comes to building first-class infrastructure, Patrick Sali proves that disability is no barrier to excellence. Leading a team of 15 plasterers on the Australian-supported Naha Birthing and Urban Health Centre, Patrick, who has a speech and hearing impairment, is setting new standards for both craftsmanship and inclusion in Solomon Islands’ construction sector. Using sign language to communicate, Patrick coordinates his team with precision and professionalism. Patrick Sali (Left) uses sign language to communicate with his team while completing plasterwork at the Naha Birthing and Urban Health Centre . His colleagues say working alongside him has been a learning experience, gaining new skills while appreciating the dedication and expertise he brings to every project. “Patrick’s leadership demonstrates that inclusive workplaces not only empower individuals with disabilities but also elevate the quality and efficiency of the work delivered,” said Australian High Commissione...

Insight from the World Bank’s “A Healthy Future” report, tailored to local challenges and priorities A new health study released by the World Bank underscores the growing challenge of chronic diseases and the importance of strong primary health care systems across East Asia and the Pacific (EAP) — lessons that resonate strongly with the Solomon Islands’ own health goals. Titled A Healthy Future: Primary Health Care and the Chronic Disease Epidemic in East Asia and Pacific, the report finds that while overall health outcomes like life expectancy have improved in the region, many people are living longer but spending more years in poor health due to chronic, non-communicable diseases (NCDs) — including diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and hypertension. A Health Challenge Across the Region — and at Home In the Solomon Islands, non-communicable diseases already account for a large share of deaths each year. Recent data suggest that about seven out of ten deaths are linked to NCDs...

Efforts to strengthen collaboration and coordination across the Solomon Islands’ growing calendar of cultural, music and sporting events are gathering pace following a high-level meeting between the Ministry of Culture & Tourism (MCT), Tourism Solomons and national event organisers. Chaired by MCT Director of Tourism, Greg Auta’a, the meeting was held at the national tourist office in Honiara and focused on developing a more coordinated approach to planning and promoting major events across the country. Pictured, third from left, MCT Director of Tourism, Greg Auta’a with members of the Tourism Solomons team and event organisers attending the meeting. Discussions centred on how MCT and Tourism Solomons can better support organisers through improved coordination, earlier engagement in the planning process and strengthened marketing efforts. Participants also explored practical measures to help event organisers and provincial tourism authorities better align their timelines to m...