Port Upgrade: Construction at Honiara International Port is moving into the next stage of the International Berth 1 upgrade, with temporary structures now being installed to support marine piling for a planned 30-metre seaward extension—aimed at boosting capacity and safer cargo handling. Economic Outlook: Finance Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo told Parliament real GDP growth for 2026 has been revised up to 3.5%, driven by mining, agriculture, tourism and fisheries as logging declines and diversification becomes urgent. Public Finance: Parliament heard that government revenue reached about $4.1b in 2025 while spending hit about $5.1b, leaving a deficit of roughly $768m, alongside a separate update saying debt remains within a 35% safety threshold. Geology for Industry: Curtin University’s New Colombo Plan scholars have digitised over 7,000 rock samples and maps, creating a national geological database that can support research and resource planning. Energy & Infrastructure: Work is underway on a 22km transmission line from Tina River to Honiara’s grid to bring up to 15MW of renewable power, reducing reliance on imported diesel. Border & Trade Logistics: Australia will hand over the new Lofung border and patrol boat outpost to Solomon Islands on 17 August, strengthening western maritime security and enabling services for remote communities. Freshwater Security: Solomon Islands launched the PacFresH2O programme to protect freshwater resources and improve climate resilience across Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea. Mining Scrutiny: Lilo raised concerns that strong gold export earnings are not matched by visible capital inflows into the national accounts, prompting further review.