Pacific Economic Survey 2008
http://www.pacificsurvey.org/site/index.php

Pacific Economic Survey 2008 is the first of a series of annual economic reports that will provide an overview and an update of economic developments in the Pacific region and Timor-Leste. Each Survey will also feature an analysis of economic issues of particular importance to the Pacific. This year’s survey looks at ways of better connecting the Pacific through telecommunications, aviation and shipping services. The countries of the South Pacific are spread over a vast area. For the most part they are small parcels of land lying in very large sea corridors. Populations are generally small and the countries themselves are culturally and politically diverse. Papua New Guinea alone, with a population of just six million people, has over 800 indigenous languages. Its rugged, mountainous topography makes interaction between some communities difficult. At the other end of the scale is the micro state of Tokelau, with about 1,500 inhabitants occupying just 12 square kilometres. Pacific Economic Survey 2008 looks at the impediments to growth in the Pacific and Timor-Leste and offers country examples of how these barriers are successfully being overcome. It contains a wealth of information, statistical data and case studies to help countries develop policies that will foster economic growth, reduce poverty and edge closer to meeting the Millennium Development Goals. This has been added to Reference Resources Subject Tracer™ Information Blog.