South Pacific developing countries : development issues and challenges

The article briefly discusses the constraints and weaknesses of small economies of some South Pacific developing countries (Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Vanuatu and Western Samoa), their socio-cultural systems, human resources, economic vulnerability to external developments, dependence on external assistance among other topics. It outlines the challenges facing them and suggests areas on which future development efforts might focus. It concludes with a brief assessment of the medium-term economic prospects of the countries. (DÜI-Sen; Dt. Stift. f. Internat. Entw.)