Governor, Central Bank Rick Hou of Solomon Islands

Mr Hou said his travel arrangements had already been made and he is set to start with the World Bank in Washington early next month.

Mr Hou joined the bank as an Internal Auditor in 1983.

Central Bank Governor Rick Hou said yesterday he has still not been formally told about his reappointment as its board chairman.

But Mr Hou said he was surprised to learn through the Solomon Star that he was being reappointed.

For this one, Mr Hou said Minister of Finance Synder Rini and the bank board were not aware of it except through the Solomon Star.

Rick Hou has decided not to renew his contract, as the governor of the bank, after being with the bank for more than 25 years, from 1983 - 2008.

Hou said to be exact, his time with the bank is about 25 years, 1 month and two weeks.

Rick Hou is one of the key public figures in the Solomon Islands whose credibility is intact, if not enhanced, after resisting corruption and several attempts by fraudsters to bankrupt the nation.

While this did put a dent on the progress made in rebuilding the economy, Hou remained optimistic the country will not suffer.

Mr Hou has been with the central bank for a quarter of a century, and 15 years ago became the first Solomon Islander to take up the position of governor.

HEGGEN: Rick Hou says his fifteen years as Governor of the Solomon Islands Central Bank have been challenging but rewarding.

HEGGEN: Mr Hou says that the best aspect of his job has been his colleagues.

HEGGEN: Mr Hou says that while he can see light at the end of the economic tunnel for the Solomons, the country is by no means out of the woods yet.

Mr Hou said he was impressed with Mr Sumsums professional approach on the matter.

Meanwhile, Mr Hou said he is still uncertain about his future as the airline board's chairman.

RAMSI's help, would all suffer if the mission was undermined.

Hou said the new board had been given a job to do and would carry that out despite the current difficulties.

But Hou said gains the government had made in those areas, with RAMSI's help, would all suffer if the mission was undermined.

Here we are trying to encourage more Solomon Islanders to participate in the economy, how can you do that when you are almost hitting them in the head?"Hou said the Solomons Visitors Bureau was concerned about a drop in visitor numbers.

The Chairman of Solomon Airlines, Rick Hou says the airline's problems are so dire that the new board is looking at all possible options to bail it out.

Solomon Islands Central Bank Governor, Rick Hou says the country's dependence on logging is leading to an economic disaster.

Article Excerpt HONIARA, Nov 9 Asia Pulse - The Governor of the Central Bank in Solomon Islands Rick Hou says the stand-off between Canberra and Honiara is having an adverse effect on investment in the country, Solomon Island Broadcasting Corporation reports.