Publication: Increasing the Participation of Women Entrepreneurs in the Solomon Islands Aid Economy
Date
2011
ISSN
Published
2011
Author(s)
World Bank
Abstract
International aid flows are equivalent
to almost half of Solomon Islands' economy, making it
one of the most aid-dependent countries in the world. Around
US$250 million of non-military aid enters the country, but
only 15-20 percent of this amount is spent locally through
local procurement or staff expenditure. Solomon Islands are
currently highly reliant on logging for export receipts,
Government revenues, and employment. But existing stocks of
natural forest logs are expected to be entirely exhausted by
2014. The Solomon Islands Government approached the World
Bank Group to identify alternative sources of revenue,
foreign exchange receipts, and employment in the absence of
logging. In responding to this request, the World Bank Group
has undertaken extensive analytical work examining short and
medium-term prospects for economic growth in Solomon
Islands, under the sources of growth project. This report
contributes to the sources of growth work, and is informed
by its findings. A key conclusion arising from sources of
growth analysis is that aid is likely to remain a key part
of the Solomon Islands economy for the near future. The
existence of an international security guarantee, backed by
the presence of an international peacekeeping force, is
paramount for security, and investment certainty. In the
absence of clear or certain alternatives to logging, and in
the context of rapid population growth, current levels of
service delivery will continue to depend on high levels of
aid expenditure.
Citation
“World Bank. 2011. Increasing the Participation of Women Entrepreneurs in the Solomon Islands Aid Economy. © Washington, DC. http://openknowledge.worldbank.org/handle/10986/27893 License: CC BY 3.0 IGO.”