Island Economies

This book argues for a broader approach to sustainable growth in Small Island Developing States (SIDS). Small island states such as those in the Caribbean, Indian Ocean and South Pacific face significant and growing threats from climate change, increasing political and social volatility, and rapidly evolving global trends in technology and tourism. Based on ten years of research, this book looks beyond the Blue Economy of tourism and fisheries and provides a model of how creative industries, innovation networks, creative clusters and digital transformation can give SIDS the foundation for a strong sustainable future. The book provides not only insights into how these emerging digital-creative sectors can drive developing economies but also actionable tools for policy makers, entrepreneurs and academics to deliver increased performance on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and, ultimately, growth and sustainability. This book will be of great interest to scholars and practitioners of economic geography, sustainable development, development studies and the creative industries.

This sixth annual study focuses on the effects of globalization on developing countries and the growing divide between fast and slow- integrating economies. It describes current trends in integration and answers key questions on trade and on commodity-reliant economies. The book examines two questions in particular detail: Will trade liberalization work? The report argues that countries that embark on trade liberalization in the current environment are likely to be rewarded and recognizes that genuine adjustment costs exist and that complementary reforms are important. How can commodity-reliant countries enhance productivity and diversify exports? Although many of these countries have been among the high growth, fast integrators, many others have been poor performers. Successful exporters are characterized by high productivity in existing commodity sectors, the capacity to diversify to non-traditional commodity exports, and the maintenance of economic stability. The report projects continued rapid acceleration of integration over the next decade, with moderate import growth in the developed countries and continued sharp import increases in developing countries. Those countries that continue to reform their economies and expand their participation in the world economy will be in a position to take advantage of the resulting opportunities; those that do not, risk falling further behind.

The Pacific island region has considerable potential for development, especially in the areas of tourism, fisheries, forestry, mining, and agriculture. However, these countries face many challenges to developing their economies and raising living standards, including their small size, distance from major markets, and vulnerability to natural disasters. The first half of this book provides an assessment of regional issues. The second half includes country-specific chapters, which provide an overview of each countries economic performance since independence and the main challenges ahead.

The socio-economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the responses it has elicited have been diverse, a trend evident in Indonesia as well. This book endeavors to document some of the innovative initiatives emerging amidst the challenges posed by the pandemic, with a particular emphasis on developments occurring in small islands and regional contexts within Indonesia. For those keen on understanding the dynamics of Indonesia's experience during the COVID-19 pandemic, this book is a valuable resource worth exploring.

Following the East Asian financial crisis, the Pacific Island Member Countries (PMC) appear to be headed toward recession. The governments are increasingly aware that state-led growth, based upon high levels of public investment and financial aid, has not substantially increased per capita income or the quality of life. Building a more resilient economic base has become a matter of political urgency. This report discusses how the PMC's development agenda could be implemented and emphasizes interlinking themes about enhancing the role of government.

This study forms an entirely new area of research on Small Island Tourism Economies (SITEs). It addresses the importance of uncertainty in monthly international tourist arrivals and country risk indicators to the macroeconomy. Conditional volatilities are estimated for international tourist arrivals, and an economic interpretation from the estimated results is provided. In achieving these two objectives, this work presents an extensive assessment of the important characteristics and the impact of tourism in SITEs in relation to their gross domestic product, balance of payments, employment and foreign direct investment, among other factors. This book is unique in giving emphasis to macroeconomic implications rather than an industry focus. The Economics of Small Island Tourism will appeal to academics at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels involved in environmental and tourism management as well as tourism economics.

In an earlier issue of Pacific Islands Policy, Francis X. Hezel, SJ, examined the economic performance of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) and the Republic of the Marshall Islands before and after independence. Despite abundant start-up funds from the United States and advice from consultants on how to create future prosperity, self-sustainability for these island nations remains as elusive as ever. This report is an attempt to answer the question: Are FSM and the Marshall Islands unusual in this respect or are all small Pacific Island nations waging a losing battle in their attempts to create more self-supporting economies? Development economists frequently argue that with the right policies in place and necessary reforms implemented, any nation, whatever its limitations, can develop a successful economy. In this report, Hezel looks at the record to find out how the Pacific Island nations have fared in this respect since independence. Having abundant exports doesn't always translate into a strong economy, he finds, since the two most richly endowed countries in the region are among the poorest in quantified per capita income. Most of the nations in the region, though, are resource-poor and so have had to turn to other strategies for economic development. The pathways to economic development for a small island nation, especially one that is remote and enjoys limited resources, are few and steep. Only one of the Pacific Island nations is close to full economic self-reliance at present, while one or two others may be within striking distance. The rest--and they are the majority--seem to have no real prospects for full self-reliance. Hezel asks what this somber but realistic view of the limits of economic growth in the Pacific might mean for larger nations with a stake in the Pacific, such as Australia, Japan, the United States, and China. Foreign aid, he suggests, may not be just a stopgap to achieve economic self-sufficiency, but a permanent requirement for nations that will always come up short of this goal.