The Finance Minister Gordon Lilo has cut the import duty by a further 10% with a very stern warning to business houses "we are watching business houses very closely, they must respond accordingly especially when it comes to their pricing"

Mr Lilo stated that the reduction in import duty will only apply to essential household and food items. "The consumers will be the biggest winners the purchasing power of a dollar should increase with this reduction"

"It is about time something like this is done" a shopper in kukum stated. "Prices today are just beyond many of us ordinary Solomon Islanders"

A retail shop owner in Honiara wants the government to consider other items as well. "Generators, lamps, fishing items, gardening tools.they should also be added to the list, would be good for those in the rural areas"