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INFLATION
Friday, February 20, 2009 9:01 AM
Prime Minister Dr Derek Sikua said today the Government is closely monitoring the price of rice and expects to see rice prices fall in the coming months.
Dr Sikua acknowledges rice is a common staple food for most Solomon Islanders and the rising rice price has indeed affected all of them. He says the original rise in rice prices, and the fact that they are staying high now, were a result of prices in world markets. Rice is grown and sold around the world. As such, the Solomon Islands Government does not control the global rice markets. The Prime Minister says the prices of some goods, like fuel, had come down as a result of world markets, which benefit Solomon Islands people, but other goods such as rice continue to...
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Category:
Economy
Thursday, February 19, 2009 2:03 PM
BY JOY BASI
Smokers in Honiara are complaining about the increase in the price of cigarettes in town, which many say they only noticed early this month.
A quick check around retail shops in Honiara has shown that prices of cigarettes have indeed increased. A packet of Winfield Blue, which used to cost SBD$17 is now SBD$23 in most shops. Single cigarettes now cost SBD$1.50, up from SBD$1.00 just a month ago. Many are questioning the cause of the increase. "Fuel prices have been very low for some time, so using shipping cost as excuse is a lie," said Chad Ligoua, a betel nut vendor, who has been forced to push up his prices as well. "There was also no announcement of a cigarette tax increase which makes it unusual." The...
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Category:
Economy
Thursday, June 19, 2008 12:55 PM
BY JOY BASI
As bus fares increase, it is now common sight in Honiara to see people cycling, some to work others doing household errands.
Solomon Times caught up with a young lady doing her daily errands in Point Cruz, Honiara. In a male dominated society like the Solomon Islands, it is quite rare to see a young lady ride a bicycle in town. Many stopped and stared at this young lady as she rode past the main Honiara town centre. Solomon Times caught up with the young lady for a brief interview. "The increase in bus fare made bicycle a better option," she said. "I know people are not used to seeing a lady on a bicycle...but cultural thinking will not pay for my bus fare." With her container slouched over...
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Category:
Entertainment
Monday, June 16, 2008 7:24 AM
BY JOY BASI
With the sky rocketing prices in Honiara many are still confused as to what was the cause.
Talking randomly with people on the streets, many are blaming the government for doing little to curb this worrying trend. Speaking with Solomon Times Ms. Ellie Losaline, an unemployed mother of two said that "it is not a good sign that sea fares are rising as it will further affect the supply of goods reaching Honiara." "I think that our government should try and intervene as it may affect food supply coming in from the provinces." Ms. Losaline said that since the cost of fuel is "hard to control" the government should look at ways to control the high price of food,...
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Category:
Economy
Friday, May 16, 2008 1:53 PM
BY SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT
Solomon Islanders may have to brace themselves for what experts say could be a longer spell in the high prices of rice.
The Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) has revealed that the rice production in Asia, Africa and Latin America will reach a new record level in 2008, warning that world rice prices could remain high in the short term, as much of the 2008 crops will only be harvested by the end of the year. "World paddy production 2008 could grow by about 2.3 percent reaching a new record level of 666 million tonnes, according to our preliminary forecasts," said FAO rice expert Concepcion Calpe. In recent times the prices of rice have skyrocketed by around 76 percent between...
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Category:
Economy
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Monday, April 28, 2008 12:55 PM
People in Honiara, Solomon Islands, are now feeling the pinch of what seems to be a general rise in the price of goods due to the dual effects of high fuel prices and a global food shortage.
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Thursday, May 03, 2007 11:46 AM
The current rise in petrol and diesel prices in the country is sure to hit the country hard. Already Taxi owners are contemplating increasing fares to $6.00 per kilometer
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Saturday, April 28, 2007 10:30 AM
Import duties, for certain household items, are expected to go down by a further 10%
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