Third World Pacific

Why is that the poorest countries often have to resort to the most expensive of remedies? Very simply they often lack infrastructure that we take for granted. Due to topography, Papua New Guinea lacks roads that would enhance the transporting and marketing of agricultural produce.

The Papua New Guinea government has launched a nationwide rescue effort for farmers who have been unable to sell their coffee since 2001. Not being able to send your produce to market for three years would be unfathomable to farmers in the post industrial world. Stockpiles of coffee are being airlifted from remote provinces to major ports so they can be sold for export. This is a very expensive way to transport coffee. The Milne Bay Province has already shipped 400 bags of coffee out by charter aircraft. However, Pacific Beat reports that there are at least another 10,000 more bags around the country waiting to be dispatched. It is likely that the PNG Defence Force will be mobilised as well.

Pacific Beat

The mountainous Entrecasteaux Islands of Milne Bay Province lie just off the main island about ninety miles southwest of the Trobriand Islands, which are coral atolls. Due to topography, road building is almost non-existent. In addition an amenity that is lacking in many Pacific Island countries are docking facilities.

Road Conditions

Another factor that affects the Third World islands of the Pacific is that of trading infrastructure. The Solomon Islands are presently struggling with the thorny problem of whether it is in their best interest to abandon the local currency and adopt the Australian dollar. The desire of the Prime Minister, Sir Allan Kemakeza, for Australia to examine his proposal to adopt the Australian dollar has met with adamant opposition by veteran Solomon Islands politician, Sir David Kausimae, who has stated that it will threaten the hegemony of the island nation.

On the one hand if the Solomons were to tie themselves to the Australian dollar, investment may be encouraged. On the other hand there is every possibility that the Solomons could be disadvantaged by an outflow of capital during a time of crisis.
Pacific Beat

Then there are countries that are so small that they have trouble surviving as distinctive entities. The island nation of Niue, one of the world's largest raised coral atolls, has been losing population for decades and continue to do so, even as I write. According to the CIA Handbook, Niue had a population of 2,156 in July of 2004. More recent figures indicate the population is now below 2,000. Having formed a strategic alliance with New Zealand, Niueans are able to emigrate without restriction. Today there are more Niueans in New Zealand than there are on the island itself.

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