Seaweed carbon trade: China and the Solomon Islands have advanced a cross-border seaweed “blue carbon” project, reporting 2,951 tonnes of carbon sinks and listing the first 61-tonne transaction on the Xiamen Property Rights Exchange Center, with proceeds linked to a carbon-neutral ferry trip. MSME support: Five Strongim Bisnis Business Accelerator participants received laptops and Starlink units after six months of coaching and a Shark Tank-style pitch process, with a blended financing facility also planned with DBSI. Fisheries investment: The Bina Harbour Tuna Processing Plant stays the government’s central fisheries priority through April 2028, alongside tighter monitoring, electronic reporting, and stronger community safeguards. Rural development diplomacy: MRD and a PRC embassy delegation met Temotu leaders to review cooperation and plan new work in infrastructure, rural livelihoods, fisheries, renewable energy, education and training. Western Province-China ties: Western Province Premier Billy Veo met China’s ambassador to discuss energy, water desalination and potential investment, with a planned trip to China to pursue trade and economic partnerships. Mining law overhaul: Parliament heard the Mineral Resources Bill 2025, introducing statutory Community Development Agreements and stronger landowner and environmental protections. Public finance watch: Finance Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo said debt remains within safety limits (debt-to-GDP 27.2%), while government revenue and spending figures show a 2025 deficit but overall surplus from external financing; he also flagged concerns about weak visible capital inflows from mining. Banking push: Cabinet approved work on a new national bank with a rural bank component in partnership with the World Bank, aiming to extend formal services beyond communities left out after past credit union failures. Port upgrade: Honiara International Port’s International Berth 1 upgrade is moving into the next construction phase, preparing for a 30-metre seaward extension under the Land and Maritime Connectivity Project. Energy security idea: PM Wale says Solomon Islands is planning a regional fuel hub at Aruligo (up to 12 months’ supply) to cut fuel costs across Pacific islands. Security and policing: RSIPF received a SBD 5.5 million upgraded Tactical Training Centre from Australia’s AFP, and new AFP-linked maritime vessels were handed over to strengthen anti-drug surveillance. Education and skills: Western Province is pushing for a SINU campus at Poitete, Kolombangara, while Australia-KFPL support targets timber-sector skills and an early learning centre on Kolombangara.