Kiribati
Women Producers of Kiribati and Their Participation in Inter-Island and International Trade
This report investigates the income-generating activities of women producers and traders in Kiribati and the constraints they face in production and trade activities. Research was conducted in the four islands of South Tarawa and Kiritimati as urban areas and Arorae and Making as rural areas. Kiribati’s fragmented geographic structure and limited connectivity narrow range of resources high dependence on imports and lack of economies scale – all of which are common to most small island developing States – create challenges for the expansion of the private sector and inter-island and international trade. Remoteness results in slower penetration of modern technologies and poses challenges for imports of raw materials and intermediate goods unavailable domestically. Weak business infrastructure limited access to finance and burdensome licensing and trade procedures imply additional costs inhibiting the development of the private sector. Policy recommendations are included that could help address the country's constraints.
No. 51171. United States of America and Kiribati
Agreement between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Republic of Kiribati regarding the surrender of persons to the International Criminal Court. Tarawa 4 March 2004
Note
Within the UNCTAD Division on Technology and Logistics the ICT Policy Section carries out policy-oriented analytical work on the development implications of information and communication technologies (ICTs) and e-commerce. It is responsible for the preparation of the Information Economy Report (IER) as well as thematic studies on ICT for Development.
Methodology
A four-step approach was used for the Rapid eTrade Readiness Assessment of Kiribati to ensure a high level of participation and engagement of key stakeholders in the consultative process:
Acknowledgements
This Rapid eTrade Readiness Assessment for Kiribati was prepared by Sven Callebaut UNCTAD Consultant in close collaboration with a team comprised of Cécile Barayre Iris Macculi Mohamad Fakhreddin and Htet Myat Min under the overall guidance of Torbjörn Fredriksson. Local inputs support and guidance were provided by Mr. Martin Tofinga National Consultant and the Government of Kiribati through the Ministry of Commerce Industry and Cooperatives.
Conclusion
The nation of Kiribati is at a crossroads: improved and affordable connectivity is a necessity rather than an option for its future economic and human development growth prospects given that the level of geographic isolation and population dispersion is even more pronounced than other Pacific Island Nations surveyed by UNCTAD. Cognizant of this the government has sped up the development response through enhanced mainstreaming of ICT and e-commerce in development plans implementing a robust telecommunications sector reform and reaching out to investors and development partners. Among other achievements this resulted in increased voice/Internet (3G/4G) coverage faster (?) Internet speeds value-added services and increased awareness of the power of the Internet in breaking isolation from markets.
Preface
The eTrade for all Initiative launched at the fourteenth Ministerial Conference of UNCTAD in July 2016 is a practical example of how to harness the digital economy to support the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development notably Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 5 8 9 and 17 which address respectively gender equality decent work and economic growth industry innovation and infrastructure and partnership for sustainable development. The initiative seeks to raise awareness enhance synergies and increase the scale of existing and new efforts by the development community to strengthen the ability of developing countries to engage in and benefit from e-commerce by addressing seven relevant policy areas:
Executive summary
As a small island developing state with about 112000 people spread across 33 atolls and 3.5 million square kilometers of ocean Kiribati faces significant economic and public service delivery challenges. In addition to being one of the countries most affected by climate change other challenges stem from a highly dispersed population remoteness to major markets a narrow economic base and the dual problem of sparse outer island communities and heavy overcrowding in the capital. It is too remote for integrated industry value chains therefore production of local goods tends to focus on traditional products with most consumption products and capital imported from abroad. This geography raises the cost of public service delivery and leads to an infrastructure gap. It limits opportunities for private sector development and diversification. Weaknesses in governance business regulations and access to credit exacerbate these geographical challenges. The eT Ready Assessment seeks to support Kiribati’s effort to identify e-commerce challenges and leverage additional resources from development partners to address these barriers.