Latest News

Growth across Pacific slows as post-pandemic rebound fades, says World Bank

Development across the Pacific Islands is expected to slow to 3.6% this year, down from 5.8% in 2023, as a postpandemic rebound fades and Fiji, contributing half of the area's output, slowed substantially, the World Bank stated on Tuesday.

A long-lasting slowdown was brought on by weaker financial investment, increasing climate threats, and structural obstacles, a report said. Without instant action to ramp up financial investment, Pacific Island nations may have a hard time to lower poverty and produce brand-new economic opportunities, it included.

The Washington-based worldwide lending institution stated investment had diminished usually across Pacific Island nations in seven out of the past 15 years.

In a troubling outlook, financial investment growth in 11 Pacific Island nations is anticipated to be around 1% yearly this years, substantially lower than the 4.2% typical growth from 2000 to 2019, the report said.

Natural catastrophes cost a typical 1.5% of gross domestic product each year, and lots of Pacific Island countries struggle to manage economic shocks after catastrophes such as cyclones, and are locked into a cycle of construction, destruction, and repair work, the report said.

While a number of smaller Pacific Island countries reliant on tourist saw growth, as travelers from Australia and New Zealand returned, Fiji's development is anticipated to slow to 3% in 2024.

Fiji's public debt, at 79% of GDP in 2024, is among the region's greatest and one-third higher than pre-pandemic levels.

In Vanuatu, the liquidation of nationwide airline Air Vanuatu struck tourism, triggering a considerable financial shock and growth to slow to 0.9%.

Vanuatu has actually experienced ten years of diminishing investment, the World Bank said.

As well as financial investment in sustainable tourist and agriculture, the area requires investment in ports, inter-island shipping, and digital connectivity, it stated.

Despite having a few of the biggest maritime zones in the world, Pacific Islands have actually been unable to completely capitalise on sustainable fishing, aquaculture, and marine biotechnology, it stated.

The cost of web connection is reasonably high and speeds are poor, compared to the rest of the world, said World Bank senior economic expert Dana Vorisek.

Digital connection truly needs to be addressed, she informed a media briefing in Suva.

Reforms to payment systems and more digital payment services are needed to enhance the effect of remittances sent back home to families by overseas workers, authorities stated.

(source: Reuters)