Domestic Finance & Banking: Finance Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo says Solomon Islands must break the “earn wealth then spend it” cycle, backing a domestic capital market and a Sovereign Wealth Fund to turn natural-resource income into long-term savings. National Bank Return: Lilo also called for the re-establishment of a national bank to restore rural banking access, credit and financial inclusion, arguing the old National Bank of Solomon Islands was a key bridge for remote communities. Cost of Living & Business Pressure: PM Matthew Wale urged SICCI and businesses to “agitate” against inefficiencies and high margins, pointing to expensive services from power and telecoms to banks and Solomon Airlines, and warning government will review taxes and duties that raise import costs. Airline Accountability: Wale told Solomon Airlines it can’t rely on open-ended government support without a measurable turnaround plan, citing unreliable schedules, high fares and costly freight. Maritime Trade Boost: The Kulabule Jetty was commissioned in Honiara, expected to ease congestion and improve domestic shipping for cargo, passengers and key sectors like agriculture and fisheries. Skills & Training: Australia handed SINU TAFE training equipment worth over SBD170,000 to support building and carpentry students, while road-safety training and a national road safety council push wrapped up in Honiara. Fisheries & Regional Security: Solomon Islands joined a wider push on tuna governance through the Nauru Agreement ministerial meeting, while police detained a Belize-flagged vessel (MV Wealth) suspected in transnational maritime crime, including drugs and tobacco smuggling. Climate & Resilience: SPREP urged Pacific communities to prepare for El Niño impacts, and a report highlighted how logging’s broken promises still haunt Makira-Ulawa—raising questions about whether carbon trading can help restore forests.