98-3646 MOREPRESS RELEASE
EMBARGO:  NOT FOR PUBLICATION UNTIL
13:00 GMT 22 SEPTEMBER 1998
PRESS/TPRB/81
22 September 1998
 ECONOMIC RECOVERY IN THE SOLOMON ISLANDS DEPENDS ON
RAPID IMPLEMENTATION OF COMPREHENSIVE REFORMS
The Solomon Islands must implement comprehensive economic reforms if it wants to keep
serious macroeconomic imbalances and structural weaknesses from intensifying. A new WTO
Secretariat report urges the Solomon Islands to accelerate its efforts to achieve a balanced budget, to
privatize and deregulate key service utilities, liberalize investment rules and eliminate generous taxexemptions.
The WTO Secretariat report and a policy statement prepared by the government of the
Solomon Islands will provide the basis for a review at the WTO of the Solomon Islands' trade policies
and practices on 21 and 22 September 1998.
The WTO's report notes that the Solomon Islands is now focusing on rehabilitating its public
finances. The new government, in place since September 1997, inherited an economy in crisis and in
need of urgent fundamental reform. Prospects for improving the economy worsened further last year
in the wake of the Asian financial crisis and the collapse of world timber prices, a main export of the
Solomon Islands.
The government sees trade-related reforms as an important means of fostering private-sector-
led growth and enhancing productivity and competit iveness. External trade is vital to the Solomon
Islands' economy. Merchandise exports and imports averaged 51% and 47% of GDP during 1993-97.
Exports consist largely of timber, fish and traditional agricultural goods. In 1996, over three quarters
of exports went to Asian markets. Timber is sold principally to Japan and other Asian countries. Fishexports, mainly of canned tuna, go almost entirely to the United Kingdom under preferential EU
access arrangements.PRESS/TPRB/81
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MOREThe WTO report states, however, that the erosion of these preferences, as well as their
extension to other least-developed countries (LDCs)  may intensify competitive pressure on the fishing
industry. Similarly, the future viability of the logging industry depends not  only on how quickly world
timber prices recover, but also on the extent to which export restrictions by other lumber suppliers,
such as Indonesia, are relaxed. Furthermore, unsustainable logging of commercial forests is
threatening the industry's survival beyond 10-15 years. By contrast, in the case of fishing, off-shorecatches of tuna are well below sustainable levels.
Trade taxes are the Solomon Islands' main intervention measures and the government's
principal source of revenue, currently accounting for more than half of total tax income. Export taxes
apply to a wide range of primary products, especially round logs (at a rate of 35% or 38%) and
uncanned fish (5% or 10%). The taxes aim to promote the development of wood and fish processing
industries. While reliance on trade taxes has been declining in recent years, thereby mitigating their
import substitution and export restraining effects, the government's continued heavy dependence on
these taxes for revenue is a major constraint on trade liberalization. Moreover, export taxes contribute
to the "high-cost" nature of the Solomon economy. The WTO report states that a comprehensive tax
reform is needed to reduce reliance on trade taxes.
The Solomon Islands is a signatory to the Lomé Convention and receives non-reciprocal
preferences from the European Union on many goods as well as additional financial assistance. It is
also granted duty-free and unrestricted access to Australia and New Zealand as a party to the South
Pacific Regional Trade and Economic Coopera tion Agreement (SPARTECA), a non-reciprocal
preferential agreement. Furthermore, the Solomon Islands is a beneficiary of the General System ofPreferences (GSP).
In the Uruguay Round, the Solomon Islands bound its entire tariff at ceiling rates (around
80%) generally well above applied rates. The simple average applied MFN rate is 22.7%. These rates
range from a minimum of 5% to a maximum of 70% , the latter applying to many food items and
consumer products. Much higher composite duties (excluded from the estimated total average) apply
to alcoholic beverages, motor vehicles and used clothing. While tariffs are almost exclusively ad
valorem , the transparency of the past tariff system was undermined by the widespread use of
discretionary exemptions and remissions. The government has recently taken steps to remove these
exemptions and the WTO's report notes that the removal of tariff concessions together with a move tolower, more uniform levels would further enhance the efficiency, simplicity and transparency of the
customs tariff.
The Solomon Islands has put into place different measures to attract investment such as tax
concessions, discretionary use of concessions on trade and excise taxes, income tax holidays and other
fiscal incentives, whose effectiveness is dubious. The government is also reviewing its investment
procedures with the aim of making them more transparent and conducive to foreign investment. TheWTO report, however, notes that the efficient supply of basic services is essential to attracting foreign
investment and that most basic services in the Solomon Islands, such as electricity,
telecommunications, ports, water, air and maritime services, are still provided by state-owned
statutory monopolies sheltered from competition. The Solomon Islands also limits certain economic
activities - agriculture, forestry, fishing, manufacturing, construction, wholesale and retail trade,communications and tourism - to its indigenous population. Foreigners are allowed to lease but not to
buy land.
The WTO report concludes that the Solomon Isla nds must take immediate action in key areas
to prevent paralysis of the reform programme or it risks jeopardizing its economic recovery.Achieving a balanced budget in 1998 will be a critical milestone in the government's resolve to
implement reform. Liberalization of investment rules, complemented by trade reforms, is necessary to
attract capital into efficient industries that can survive without government assistance. And fasterPRESS/TPRB/81
Page 4
MOREprivatization and deregulation of key utilities will also help revitalize the economy. While external aid
will continue to be essential for the Solomon Islands, aid donors and the government will have toensure that financial assistance is coordinated and provided in ways that encourage economic growth
and development.
Notes to Editors
The WTO's Secretariat report, together with a po licy statement prepared by the Solomon Islands
Government, will be discussed by the WTO Trade Polic y Review Body (TPRB) on 21 and 22 September 1998.
The WTO's TPRB conducts a collective evaluation of the full range of trade policies and practices of each WTOmember at regular periodic intervals and monitors significant trends and developments which may have animpact on the global trading system. The Secretariat repor t covers the development of all aspects of each of the
Solomon Islands' trade policies, including domestic laws and regulations, the institutional framework, trade
policies by measure and by sector. Since the WTO came into  force, the new "areas" of services trade and trade-
related aspects of intellectual pr operty rights are also covered.
To this press release are attached the summary observations from the Secretariat report and the full
government policy statement. The full Secretariat report is  available for journalists from the WTO Secretariat on
request (call 41 22 739 5019). It is also available for the press in the newsroom of the WTO internet site
(www.wto.org). The Secretariat report, together with the government policy statement, a report of the TPRB's
discussion and the Chairman's summing up, will be published in hardback in due course and will be availablefrom the WTO Secretariat, Centre William  Rappard, 154 rue de Lausanne, 1211 Geneva 21.
Since December 1989, the following reports have been completed: Argentina (1992), Australia (1989,
1994 & 1998), Austria (1992), Bangladesh (1992), Benin (1997), Bolivia (1993), Botswana (1998), Brazil (1992& 1996), Cameroon (1995), Canada (1990, 1992, 1994 & 1996), Chile (1991 & 1997), Colombia (1990 &
1996), Costa Rica (1995), Côte d'Ivoire (1995), Cyprus (1997), the Czech Republic (1996), the Dominican
Republic (1996), Egypt (1992), El Salvador (1996), the European Communities (1991, 1993, 1995 & 1997), Fiji(1997), Finland (1992), Ghana (1992), Hong Kong (1990 & 1994), Hungary (1991 & 1998), Iceland (1994),India (1993 & 1998), Indonesia (1991 and 1994), Israel (1994), Japan (1990, 1992, 1995 & 1998), Kenya(1993), Korea, Rep. of (1992 & 1996), Lesotho (1998), Macau (1994), Malaysia (1993 & 1997), Mauritius
(1995), Mexico (1993 & 1997), Morocco (1989 & 1996), New Zealand (1990 & 1996), Namibia (1998), Nigeria
(1991 & 1998), Norway (1991 & 1996), Pakistan (1995), Paraguay (1997), Peru (1994), the Philippines (1993),Poland (1993), Romania (1992), Senegal (1994), Singapore (1992 & 1996), Slovak Republic (1995), SouthAfrica (1993 & 1998), Sri Lanka (1995), Swaziland (1998), Sweden (1990 & 1994), Switzerland (1991 &1996), Thailand (1991 & 1995), Tunisia (1994), Turkey (1994), the United States (1989, 1992, 1994 & 1996),Uganda (1995), Uruguay ( 1992), Venezuela (1996), Zambia (1996) and Zimbabwe (1994).PRESS/TPRB/81
Page 5
MORETRADE POLICY REVIEW BODY
SOLOMON ISLANDS
Report by the Secretariat – Summary Observations
The Solomon islands is a small archipelago in the south pacific. Despite having relatively
abundant forestry and fish resources, it is one of the region’s poorest countries;  GDP per capita wasus$950 in 1995, and the islands have least-developed country status.  Inept economic management by
previous governments has constrained development and often favoured vested interests at the
community’s expense.  The present government, which assumed office in September 1997, inherited
an economy in crisis and in need of urgent fundamental reform.
The government's commitment to broad reforms is clear from its policy and structural reform
programme.  Rapid implementation is essential to prevent the economy’s chronic macroeconomicimbalances and serious structural deficiencies from intensifying.
E
CONOMIC ENVIRONMENT
After gaining independence from the United Kingdom in 1978, the Solomon Islands adopted inward-
looking trade policies aimed at promoting the processing of primary resources, such as fish and
timber, as well as encouraging manufactures.  Thes e interventionist policies were manifested in high
and disparate trade taxes on imports and exports; a heavy state role in industrial development; a large
public service;  and high, unsustainable fiscal deficits underpinned by expansionary monetary
policies.
These policies resulted in the economy becoming virtually insolvent by 1997, with the government
unable to service public debt, which escalated to ov er 65% of GDP in 1997.  Arrears grew sevenfold
to SI$184.3 million in 1997, over three times that year’s fiscal deficit, and equivalent to 13% of GDP.
Monetary policy has also been ineffective since August 1995 when the Central Bank suspended new
credit to the Government under rules limiting public debt to 40% of average budget revenues.
Inflation is expected to rise from 8% to double-digit levels in 1998.  Although annual average real
GDP growth of 5% has exceeded population growth by  2% since 1991, its durability is threatened by
the unsustainability of the logging activities that have fuelled this growth. Long-term viability of the
timber and fishing industries, upon which the economy critically depends, is a major concern.
The managed exchange rate has appreciated in real terms during recent years, despite the recent 20%
devaluation, potentially undermining export competitiveness.  A more flexible and market-determined
exchange rate system may improve international competitiveness and insulate the external balances
from outside shocks.
The history of poor fiscal and monetary management has reduced confidence of international
investors and aid donor.  Foreign direct investment has fallen to low levels and the external balance
remains vulnerable.
Achieving a balanced budget in 1998 will be a critical milestone in the Government’s resolve to
implement reform.  Restoring fiscal balance requires stringent controls to meet expenditure and
revenue targets and achieving other key policies, including downsizing of the public service; assetsales from privatization to help pay off debt; and the elimination of generous tax exemptions.
However, progress has been slow and further delays need to be resisted.  Action is necessary in key
areas to prevent paralysis of the reform programme, which would jeopardize the  economic recovery.PRESS/TPRB/81
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MOREThe Solomon Islands' economic difficulties have been accentuated by recent external developments,
including the Asian crisis. Its two main exports, logs and fish, have been adversely affected by thecollapse in world timber prices in late 1997 and the reduction of EU preferences for processed fish.
T
HE SOLOMON ISLANDS IN WORLD TRADE
External trade is vital to the Solomon Islands' economy.  Merchandise exports and imports averaged
51% and 47% of GDP, respectively, during 1993-97. External balances have fluctuated considerably;
at the end of 1997, reserves provided less than two months of import cover.  Deficits on merchandiseand services trade have been offset by capital and aid inflows.
Exports consist largely of timber, fish and traditional agricultural goods of palm oil, copra and cocoa.
Over three quarters of exports in 1996 went to Asian markets Timber is sold principally to Japan and
other Asian countries;  log exports have declined substantially following the collapse of world timber
markets in late 1997.  Fish exports, mainly of canned tuna, go almost entirely to the United Kingdom
under preferential EU market access arrangements (Lomé Convention).
Imports are mainly of manufactures, especially machinery and transport equipment, food, fuels and
lubricants.  Well over half of impor ts are from Australia and New Zealand.
L
EGAL AND INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK
The Solomon Islands is a constitutional monarchy with substantial devolution of powers to provincial
governments.  Although responsibility for trade-related policies rests with the national Government,
provincial governments may pass ordinances affecting such policies, including the provision ofagricultural grants and protection of on-shore fishing. They must also approve forestry, mining and
fishing developments on customary land, which accounts for over 90% of land ownership.
Legislative power resides in a unicameral national Parliament.  Executive power is vested in the
national Government, elected every four years.  Th e Prime Minister is elected by Parliament.  A
Cabinet of senior ministers formulates policy.
With the aim of improving the coordination of trade and economic policies, the Government has
developed an organizational decision-making structure involving the Ministries of National Planning
and Development, the Prime Minister’s Office and Ministry of Finance, as well as the Central Bank,
to help implement the reform programme.  Two new ministerial task forces — one examining
economic reform and the other public sector reform — report to a Cabinet sub-committee (the Policyand Structural Reform Committee, PSRC) chaired by the Prime Minister.  The Government reform
blueprint is being formulated in the Medium-Term Development Plan (1999-2003).
The Government consults frequently with the private sector through the Chamber of Commerce,
which is represented on the PSRC.  No independent statutory body exists to advise the Government
on, or to review, trade-related policies, including the provision of tariff and other industry assistance.
T
RADE POLICY FEATURES AND TRENDS
The Solomon Islands, a de facto GATT contracting party since independence, acceded to the WTO as
an original member in July 1996.  Its entire tariff was bound under the Uruguay Round, mainly at a
ceiling level of 80%.  It scheduled GATS commitments on professional, construction, tourism and
financial services.   It is not a signatory to any of the Plurilateral Trade Agreements.
The Solomon Islands' only exception to MFN treatment concerns tariff preferences within the MSG
(Melanesian Spearhead Group) Trade Agreement of 1996.  These cover imports of tea from PapuaPRESS/TPRB/81
Page 7
MORENew Guinea and beef from Vanuatu; and its canned tuna exports to these countries enter  duty free.
Fiji is now a member of the Group, and more products are covered, such as fruit, nuts, coffee and
cement.
As a signatory to the Lomé Convention, the Solomon Islands receives non-reciprocal preferences
from the European Union on many goods.  Additiona l financial assistance, totaling ECU 28 million to
1996, has been provided under Lomé IV, mainly as grants under STABEX or EDF.
The Solomon Islands is also a party to the South Pacific Regional Trade and Economic Cooperation
Agreement (SPARTECA), a non-reci procal preferential agreement covering the Forum island
countries (FICs) aimed at achieving duty-free and un restricted access for FIC exports to Australia and
New Zealand.  It is also a beneficiary of the GSP schemes of most industrialized economies.
RECENT EVOLUTION
The Government’s immediate priority is comprehensive economic reform to redress serious
macroeconomic imbalances and structural weaknesses.  Great importance is attached to therehabilitation of public finances.  Economic policy is to be export-oriented and outward looking.
Trade-related reforms are seen as an important m eans of fostering private-sector-led growth and
enhancing productivity and competitiveness.
The main policy priorities are tariff and tax reforms, notably reduction of exemptions; downsizing of
the public sector; more transparent and facilitative foreign investment policies; and sustainablemanagement of key natural resources, especially forestry and fishing.
While the Government's intent was to commence the main policy reforms from mid-1998 after fully
reviewing existing polices, several important decisions were taken in advance.  These included the
cancellation of export tax remissions on logs in November 1997, and implementation of a moratorium
on new logging licences. This was followed by a 20% currency devaluation in December 1997.Furthermore, the tariff was substantially revised in March 1998; this involved the compression of the
duty structure from 20 ad valorem rates, ranging from zero to 225%, into five rates of 5, 10, 20, 40
and 70%, the modal rate being 10%.  Subsequently, a 10% across-the-board import surcharge was
introduced in the April 1998 Budget to raise revenue.
The Government sees meeting its multilateral commitm ents as playing an essential role in its reform
agenda.  It intends to implement, for example, WTO-consistent policies on customs valuation,
intellectual property protection, agriculture and quarantine, as required for least-developing countries,
with technical support from bilateral and multilateral donors.
T
YPE AND INCIDENCE OF TRADE POLICY INSTRUMENTS
Tariffs are the main instrument of trade policy.  Applied MFN duties remain relatively high, with an
unweighted average of 23%, excluding the 10% surcharge and specific duties.  The top ad valoremtariff rate of 70% is mainly on processed foods and consumer goods, such as perfume, jewellery,
electronics and furniture.  However, higher composit e duties, involving specific rates, apply mainly to
tobacco products; alcoholic beverages, including beer; new and used motor vehicles; and worn
clothing.
The five-rate tariff structure contains built-in escalation, with higher duties imposed on fully
processed products.  Average applied MFN tariffs 26% on these products of are two-thirds higher
than for semi-processed products.  However, de-escalation exists between raw materials and semi-
processed products, reflecting much higher duties on raw materials.  Although tariff transparency isPRESS/TPRB/81
Page 8
MOREenhanced by application of ad valorem duties to 97% of all tariff lines, it has been reduced by the
widespread discretionary use by past governments of exemptions and remissions, often for obscurereasons.  The present Government estimates that these cost 40% of collectable customs revenue, and
is reviewing their use.  Some were removed recently following changes to the Customs Act.
There are no duty drawback or similar arrangements for exporters.  Removal of tariff concessions
together with a move to lower, more uniform levels, if not a single rate, would further enhance the
efficiency, simplicity and transparency of the customs tariff.
The Government aims to improve customs efficiency and reduce tariff evasion.  It is considering
introducing preshipment inspection services using a private contractor.  The former Brussels
Definition of Value (BDV) is used for customs va luation, and no minimum prices are applied.  No
legislation exists on safeguards nor on anti-dumping and countervailing actions.
Few formal non-tariff trade barriers apply.  Certain import prohibitions and controls apply for
environmental, health, public safety and security reasons as well as under international conventions,
such as CITES.  Import licensing exists on methylated spirits and ethyl alcohol (importable only bygovernment pharmacies), alcoholic spirits, used clothing, arms and ammunition.  There are no import
quotas or trade embargoes;  nor are there local-content requirements for domestic production.
Government procurement is by open tender.
The Solomon Islands does not set or impose standards, nor is it a member of ISO.  International
standards are applied occasionally for public safety reasons, as on chemicals and hazardous fertilizers,herbicides and construction equipment.  There are no marking, labeling or packing requirements.
Quarantine provisions apply to imports of plant and animal products, mainly meat, dairy, eggs, honey,
hides and skins, unless sourced from Australia or New Zealand.
Export taxes ranging between 5% and 38% apply to many unprocessed products, especially logs, fish,
gold, copra, palm oil and cocoa; some of these taxes were increased in the 1998 Budget.  Exportlicences are required for logs and, from 1997, for gold and other minerals.  Other export controls are
mainly for cultural, health and environmental reasons, or in accordance with international
conventions, as in the case of export prohibitions on wildlife under CITES.  Exports of war relics, bait
fish, traditional artifacts, and endangered species, such as bêche-de-mer and trochus shells, are also
prohibited or controlled.
No export quotas or voluntary export restraints apply and exports are not subsidized.  However,
profits from exports are non-taxable for up to six years (with possible extensions), depending upon the
level of domestic value added.
While there are no production subsidies in the Solomon Islands, tax concessions are granted for
investment and production.  In addition to the discretionary use of concessions on trade and excisetaxes, there are income tax holidays and other fiscal incentives, such as special write-offs and
accelerated depreciation provisions.  Many of these measures reflect the national policy of attracting
export-oriented investment.  These incentives currently under review, further erode the already
narrow tax base.  It is doubtful whether such incentives, are effective.
There is no specific competition law.  However, the Government intends to introduce legislation to
protect consumers from unfair trade practices.  Price controls apply to a range of staple items,
including milk, tinned meat and fish, sugar, soap, rice, cooking oil, bread, electricity, petroleumproducts and water charges.  The Government also intends to privatize and corporatize several state-
owned enterprises, including a number of holdings  of the Investment Corporation, notably Solomon
Telekom, and some other utilities.PRESS/TPRB/81
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MORERenewed efforts are needed to ensure greater privat e participation in providing key utility services.
This will improve efficiency and reduce prices.  Poor, and relatively expensive, basic services by
government monopolies deter foreign investment and restrain growth.
The Government is reviewing its investment procedures with the aim of making them more
transparent and conducive to foreign investment.  Although there are no maximum foreign ownership
limits, the Foreign Investment Board examines proposed local ownership levels on a case-by-casebasis.  It may stipulate some divestment of foreign ownership over the project’s life.  A relatively
large negative list reserves for indigenous people certain activities in agriculture, forestry, fishing,
manufacturing, construction, wholesale and retail trade, communications and tourism.  Non-Solomon
Islanders can lease, but may not buy, land.
Trade taxes on imports and exports remain the main interventionist measures.  A major constraint on
trade liberalization is the Government's heavy reliance on these taxes for revenue.  Although
declining, they provide over half of tax revenue;  until recently, export taxes, especially on logs, werethe main revenue source.  Thus, trade liberalization and tax reform are closely intertwined.  Trade
taxes are a distorting means of raising government revenue.  Comprehensive tax reform is needed to
reduce reliance on trade taxes, to strengthen tax administration and broaden the base.
S
ECTORAL POLICIES
The Solomon Islands is heavily dependent on agriculture and natural resources of forestry and fishing.
These account for over half of GDP, with manufacturing, excluding fish processing, representing only
3%.
Most sectoral policies relate to the development of wood and fish industries.  Trade and investment
measures have been designed to promote downstream  processing of these resources.  Such policies
include export taxes on unprocessed timber and fish, as well as efforts to make fishing and logginglicences largely conditional upon domestic processing.  These policies, which tax the unprocessed
activity, risk creating economically and technically inefficient downstream processing industries
reliant on continued government support.  The present Government has not yet indicated whether it
will uphold the previous Government's stated policy intention of prohibiting round log exports in
1999.
Export taxes, levied on producers, compound the anti-export bias inherent in the country’s tariff and
other economic policies that contribute to the ‘high-cost’ nature of the economy.  They tax resource
rents from forests and fishing inefficiently and undermine conservation by reducing domestic prices
for the unprocessed product.  The Government might usefully explore more efficient ways of securing
their share of resource rents (such as the government auctioning of logging licences or levying of
stumpage fees on production).
Sectoral policies have contributed to the poor management of these key natural resources.
Unsustainable logging of commercial forests, with  licensed harvest levels running at almost three
times sustainable yields, until the current downturn in the global timber market, has threatened the
industry’s survival beyond 10-15 years.  By contrast, in the case of fishing, off-shore catches of tuna
are well below licensed, and much higher sustainable, levels.  Both are uneconomic outcomes that
reduce the economy’s long-term growth prospects.
Copra, cocoa and palm oil products are important tr aditional agricultural commodities.  The statutory
monopoly exporter of copra and cocoa, the Commodities Export Marketing Authority, operates a
copra price stabilization scheme, involving public funds, and a similar scheme will  operate for cocoa
from 1999.  The Authority also markets coffee together with spices, such as chillies, turmeric, vanilla,
ginger and cinnamon.  Palm oil products, such as palm kernel and coconut oil, are the backbone ofPRESS/TPRB/81
Page 10
MOREplantation agriculture.  The Government directly participates through ownership interests in Solomon
Islands Plantation Limited and the Russell Islands Plantation Estates Limited.  The Government isconsidering privatizing some of these interests.
Tourism is targeted for development.  The Government encourages private development by offering
various tax concessions, including five-year tax holidays and accelerated depreciation.
Efficient provision of basic business input services is essential to improve international
competitiveness and attract foreign investment.  Most basic services, such as electricity,telecommunications, ports, water, air and maritime services are provided by as state-owned statutory
monopolies sheltered from competition.  For example, the Postal Corporation, although corporatized
in 1996, retains its legislated monopoly over delivery of national and international standard letters.
Solomon Telekom, which is 58% state-owned, has a 15-year statutory monopoly over
telecommunications services until 2002.
Banking licenses must be approved by the Central Bank.  Foreign banks may operate domestically as
locally incorporated subsidiaries or as foreign branches, provided an assigned minimum level ofcapital is kept within the country.  The Central Bank accepts that such branches will be adequately
supervised by their own prudential regulators.  Banks are prohibited from providing insurance
services.
T
RADE POLICIES AND FOREIGN TRADING PARTNERS
The Solomon Islands’ economy is in urgent need of large-scale economic reform.  Although some
significant first steps have been taken, much more needs to be done.  As a small, least-developed
island economy, its economic prosperity hinges on becoming more integrated into the world
economy.  Trade measures are applied on a non-discriminatory basis, and its reliance on tariffs
together with bindings as a result of the Uruguay Round have significantly increased the predictability
of its trade regime.  Preferential trading arrangements with MSG members and proposed initiativeswithin the Forum to establish a Free Trade Area among FICs should not be allowed to impede the
process of non-discriminatory trade liberalization.
The Solomon Islands depends heavily on log and fish exports.  However, the international
competitiveness of both industries is under threat.  Processed fish exports (mainly canned tuna) rely
heavily on preferential EU access to the United Kingdom market under the Lomé Convention.Erosion of these preferences, as well as their extension to other LDC competitors, may be expected to
intensify competitive pressure on the industry.  Similarly, the future viability of the logging industry
depends not only on how quickly world timber prices recover, but also on the extent to which export
restrictions by other lumber suppliers, such as Indonesia, are relaxed.
Implementation of the Government’s reform programme, including prudent use of monetary and
fiscal policies, should substantially reduce the anti-export bias inherent in its trade regime and
improve the efficiency of resource use.  This should enhance competitiveness on both home and
export markets.  A more market-oriented economy would also benefit its trading partners.
Trade, investment and economic growth are closely linked.  Increased efforts to remove impediments
to international trade and investment can be expected to contribute to economic development.
Liberalization of investment rules, complemented by trade reforms, is necessary to attract capital into
efficient industries that can survive without government assistance.  Faster privatization andderegulation of key utilities will also help revitalize the economy.
External aid will continue to be essential for the Solomon Islands.  However, it needs to be recognized
that over-dependence on aid may obstruct the economic restructuring needed to improve thePRESS/TPRB/81
Page 11
MOREeconomy’s resilience, and  have adverse side effects, by accentuating the ‘high cost’ economy and
undermining international competitiveness.  The difficult challenge facing aid donors and the
Government will be to ensure that financial assistance is coordinated and provided in ways that
encourage economic growth and development.  In  this context, the conditions resulting from
renegotiation of Lomé IV in 2000 will be important.
The Solomon Islands will always be vulnerable to external disturbances and their effects on trade
balances.  Trade liberalization is an important means of increasing economic flexibility and the
capacity of the economy to adjust to international influences.  The future pace and depth of its trade
reforms will be contingent upon the maintenance of an open, stable and predictable global trading
regime that can successfully combat protectionist pressures in major export markets.  The Solomon
Islands' trading partners can greatly assist the Government's efforts to turn the economy around by
ensuring non-discriminatory and stable access to their market.PRESS/TPRB/81
Page 12
MORETRADE POLICY REVIEW BODY
SOLOMON ISLANDS
Report by the Government
MACROECONOMIC PERFORMANCE
Solomon Islands economic performance, until the onset of the Asian economic crisis of 1997 was
characterized by strong expor t receipts, modest inflati on but stagnant growth in  domestic credit and critical
problems in fiscal policy.  GDP growth averaged around 3-4% generated largely from strong outputperformance in the forestry, fishing and agriculture plantation sectors.
Positive growth was experienced since the early 1990s .  The forestry sector experienced a logging boom
while developments in the fishing sector were stronger than in the past decade.  The economy, however,became increasingly dependent on timber revenues, which by 1995 accounted for around half of export
earnings and over a third of government revenues.  By 1996 the export base was less diversified than at
any time since the early 1970s.  The government reach ed a crisis point in fi scal management by 1995.
This placed strains on the domestic financial system and on relations with domestic and foreign creditors.
Since mid-1997, the slowdown in economic performance was exacerbated by the Asian financial crisis.
The impact of this is being felt mainly through, the balance of payments and the exchange rate, inflation,
production and government finances.  The economy expe rienced lower than expected export receipts, a
rise in inflation, depressed government revenues and a general slow down in economic activity.
These trends are expected to continue throughout the rest of 1998 and also in 1999.  The short to medium
term outlook for the Solomon Islands is not encouraging as the economy is heavily dependent on
international trade with Asia, and the prolonged crisis  in Asia will have a negative impact on the demand
for and prices of Solomon Islands’ export as well as upon economic growth in general.
Given the resource endowment of the Solomon Islands, the economy has the potential to grow in the long
term.  However, to achieve its potential, the right mix of policies and business environment need to exist in
Solomon Islands.  The government is fully aware of the adverse impact an expansionary and unsustainable
fiscal policy can have on the economy and has already taken steps to ensure sound management of its
finances as a critical prerequisite to restore economic stability.  Fiscal  budgets will be in future be drawn
up to ensure stability and balance in revenues and expenditures.  The government of the Solomon Islandsis committed to the full and timely payment of its pub lic debt (and arrears).  Public policy will also be
instrumental in assuring the rate of resource utilisati on at sustainable levels and to ensuring the effective
use of the incomes derived from the exploitation of national assets.  The challenge in the medium term isto improve the efficiency of public policy and administration to enable the Solomon Islanders to contribute
more effectively to, and benefit from, growth in the economy.
The government also recognizes the role played by the private sector and will continue to provide a
conducive business climate for private sector to grow and invest.  Government will therefore, concentrate
on critical areas such as infrastru cture development and rehabilitation, investment in human capital, and
ensuring the existing legal framework simple and complementary to private sector development.
Prospects for 1999 and in the medium term future therefore, depend on policy decisions related to the
governments’ reform program, the level of assistan ce received from development partners and multilateral
agencies and changes in the real economy.  The Gold Ridge mine has commenced production in the third
quarter of 1997, fish and palm oil are expected to be  resilient but log exports will depressed which could
result in a vulnerable balance of payments position throughout 1999.
Recognizing the urgent need for an immediate turnaround to salvage the current economic down-fall, the
Solomon Islands Alliance for Change (SIAC) Government in November 1997 released its statement ofPolicies structured and designed to restore macroeconomic stability and initiate microeconomic reforms to
promote restructuring and improve efficiency which the Government is committed to achieve.PRESS/TPRB/81
Page 13
MORESolomon Islands maintains a constant real exchange rate in order to  enhance the country’s international
competitiveness.  To this end, Solomon Islands is moving quickly to apply a comprehensive phased reform
programme beginning from public sector  reform, structural reform on high tariffs and freezing high wage
rates.
TRADE POLICIES AND PRACTICE
The significant changes in the global economy towards trade liberation, economic deregulation, trade andinvestment promotion are key factors influencing Solomon Islands development strategy.  In October
1997, the Government announced its Structural Reform Programme, aimed at improving Solomon Islands
current economic and a long term prospects.  With this in mind, the Government is undertaking a phasedreform programme to review the existing import restrictions and reduction of imports tariffs, tax reform,
public sector reform, and export promotion and development.
The structural reform program announced in October 1997 by the Government is aimed at moving the
economy towards sustainable, private sector led economic growth.  The reform programme focuses on
economic reform, including macro-economic stabilization policies and microeconomic policies forenhancing productivity and competitiveness, as well as  policies aimed at redirecting and deploying
resources from the public to private sector.  There is  a clear need for external and internal financial
balance, appropriate monetary and fiscal policy aimed at achieving low inflation and interest rates,increase of employment, a stable exchange rate and a reduce on balance of payments deficit.
Microeconomic reforms include trade and investment policies, tariffs and taxes as well as sectoral policies,
focused on enhancing transparency of investment  policies;  accelerating tariff reductions on goods and
services traded among Forum Island Countries;  and reviewing duty remission policies.
Solomon Islands trade policy objectives include progressive removal of trade barriers.  It is the
Government’s desires to promote and diversify export trade as an important means of economic
development.  To achieve this, the Government is undertaking a comprehensive review of the tax system,
with a view to broadening its base and reducing tax rates, focusing in particular on tax and tariff reform.  It
is also moving towards the removal of administrative obstacles to investment aimed at improving the
transparency of investment policies, and to creati ng  a conducive environment for private sector growth
and development.  A  further review of the trade ta xes with a view to create uniform rates to eliminate
trade distortions is also being considered.  The government is also studying a consumption based ‘value
added tax’ aimed at gradually removal of the tax imposed by tariffs.
A major objective of the Government’s reform programme is the implementation of sustainable
management policies over its key natural resources, such as forest, marine, minerals and agricultural
commodities and implementing effective control over th e unsustainable exploitation of such resources is
also high on the agenda.
Since the early 1990’s there has been a progressive move towards export oriented policies which is also the
main trade policy objective of the Government.  Policy is aimed at developing an open outward-looking
and export oriented economic that generates rapid rates of growth and higher standards of living.  Also, a
national policy is in place to encourage export relate d investment.  This includes a range of income and
other tax concessions which are available under the Foreign Investment Act as investment incentives.
TRADE POLICIES BY SECTOR
The Primary Sector accounted for 42% of GDP in 1995, with agriculture representing just over half of this
share.  The former accounted for around a quarter of formal employment, with agriculture and forestry themost important contributors.  The primary sector is also the Solomon Islands main source of export
earnings.  In 1996, timber and fish accounted for 79 % of the total exports.  Traditional agriculture
commodities of considerable export significance are palm oil, copra and cocoa.  These traditional
agriculture commodities and other e xport potential cash crops such as chillies and local fruit tress will be
the primary focus of the Government’s policies on agriculture.PRESS/TPRB/81
Page 14
MOREThe Government’s agriculture policies,  outlined in the 1994 Agriculture S ector Plan are to facilitate export
diversification for minor crops such as chillies, and the development of the local fruit tress like canarium
nuts.  Promoting and encouraging down stream proce ssing of traditional tropical tree crops, such as copra,
cocoa and palm oil is also high on the agenda.
Round log exports increased substantially during th e 1990’s largely because of high international log
prices.  However, exports fell substantially in 1997 in line with  the fall in international log prices.Although log exports fell in l997, pr ojected log exports will remain at 600,000 cubic metres in 1998.  The
current harvesting rates equivalent to almost three times the estimated sustainable yield, raises concern by
the new Government, and intends to put in place legi slation aimed at sustaina ble manufactured of the
forest resources including a fundamental strengthening of the control mechanism governing the harvesting
of the forest resources.  In 1997 the Government formally recognised the Code of Practice for TimberHarvesting as a means of improving logging practices in Solomon Islands.
Oil palm products including copra are at present and will continue to be the backbone of the plantation
sector in the Solomon Islands.  Efforts have been made to extend the benefits of oil palm cultivation to
shareholders in the  Outgrower Scheme funded by the European Union.  Under this Scheme, Solomon
Islands Plantation Limited (SIPL) provides seedlings , management support, a nd input including markets
for end products.  The programme was designed to encourage further expansion of oil palm plantation, but
close proximity to SIPL’s processing mill.
Copra is an important commodity in Solomon Islands ; as well as an important export earner. Commodities
Export Marketing Authority (CEMA) has exclusive e xport rights over copra.  CEMA operates a copra
price stabilization scheme, aiming at st abilizing copra price in order to give  rise to copra production.  In its
development policies the Authority is embarking on a program for all copra to be crushed domestically
into coconut oil by 1999.  CEMA has now established four copra crush mills.
The fisheries sector is an important source of foreign exchange; and contributed 8% of the total GDP in
1995, an increased from 5.5% in 1980.  The fisheries export is mainly of processed chilled, frozen, canned
and fresh ‘sashimi’ tuna; and other marine products such as bêche-de-mer and shark fin.  The fisheries
accounted for well over 18% of total export in 1996.  Given the potential for the development of the
fisheries sector, Solomon Islands has drafted a new fisheries act, aimed at facilitating further development
of the industries and the necessary adjustments.  The le gislation is expected to be  brought to Parliament in
1998.
Solomon Islands has maintained very high nominal rates of export taxes on logs in order to encourage
down-stream processing of timber resources and to generate revenue.  Excessive logging has createdconsiderable environmental concern, particularly ov er the control and management of country’s key
natural resources.  These concerns have prompted th e SIAC Government to put in place measures geared
towards improving performance in logging and other natural resource based activities, largely to achieve
sustainable economic growt h.  It must be noted that the Government is committed to encouraging the
private sector lead development of down-stream processing of marine and forest products.  The SolomonIslands government will adopt Trade and Investment measures aimed at promoting down stream
processing.  However, unlike measures adopted in the past Solomon Islands will seek to develop an
industry policy that will facilitate processing that aims at achieving interna tional competitiveness within
time-bound constraints.
Production and marketing of minerals is regulated under the Mines and Minerals Amendment - 1996.
Legislation prohibits prospecting and mining on land without prior consent from the customary
landowners.  Solomon Islands encourages foreign inve stment in this sector at present through geological
publications, and by providing these to potential investors.  Applications for exploration and mining leasesare considered by a statutory Minerals Board, which comprises of relevant Ministries, departments and
provincial governments and landowner.  Similar arrangement also apply to petroleum mining under the
Petroleum Act - 1987, and Petroleum Regulation.PRESS/TPRB/81
Page 15
MOREManufacturing, other than fish processing contributed only 4% of the Solomon Islands GDP in 1996, and
accounted for  just over 10% of formal employment.  Solomon Islands intends to review its manufacturing
policies; to attract foreign investment by improving the labour market; and reducing trade and production
distortions, such as excessive tariff barriers as well as improving infrastructures.
The services sector including public administration account for a large and growing share of production in
Solomon Islands.  In 1995 it accounted for around 47% of the total GDP.  Solomon Islands recognise the
importance of having a vibrant and efficient service sector for development of its exports as well asimplementation of its policies.  The SIAC government has undertaken measures assuring the right-sizing
of the public sector.
Tourism is one of the Government’s priority sectors.  Policies for tourism development are designed
especially to encourage eco-tourism.  This has been an area in which some good progress has been made.
The Government, in its reform program to develop tourism industry, intends to further review its policieson tourism including reviewing current international airfares with a view to reduce them so as to further
assist the development of the sector.
Given the geography of the Solomon Islands sea transport, including an efficient port services and inter-
island shipping services is an important priority.  Sea transport provides vital links to remote islands and
resources, and the Government intends to either subsidise non-commercial routes, or through licensing
tender unprofitable routes to private shipping operators.
Air transport is and will always play an important role in Solomon Islands export of agriculture and
perishable products including fresh ‘Sashimi’ tuna.  The Government recognizes the advantage of creatingcompetition in international travel to enhance the growth in trade, tourism and the domestic economy.  The
Solomon Islands government has recently granted approval to a privately owned operator, King Solomon
Airlines to operate the route to Cairns, Australia.
Telecommunications are currently provided by Solomon Telekom which has a monopoly in the sector.
The existing legislation which provides Solomon Telekom with a monopoly in telecommunicationsservices is due to expire in the year 2002.  The Gove rnment is considering the possibility of deregulating
this sector to allow competition and hence to encourage quality services but at lower prices.
TRADE POLICY - INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK
Formulation of trade policy in the Solomon Islands  involves cabinet approval.  Laws enacted by
Parliament are generally initiated from respective Ministries; submitted to cabinet for approval beforebeing presented to Parliament for enactment, thereafter submitted to the Governor General for his assent.
The administration of trade policy comes under several Ministries, Departments and Government statutory
bodies.  Regular reviews of trade policies and devices long-term strategy is the responsibility of the
Ministry of Commerce, Employment and Tourism.  The private sector’s input is channelled through the
Chamber of Commerce, and has been regularly consulted in the trade areas.
There are laws and regulations governing the implementation of trade policies in Solomon Islands,
including sector-specific Acts.  The Government intends to closely examine and review a substantial
number of these laws, particularly those that affec ting trade-related policies; and to bring them into
conformity with its WTO obligations.  This includes an update of intellectual property rights.
Solomon Islands is a signatory to convention betw een the European Union (EU) and the Pacific ACP;
the MSG Trade Agreement (MSG) between Papua New Guinea (PNG), Vanuatu, Solomon Islands
and Fiji as well as SPARTECA.  The Solomon Islands also benefits from other preferences such as
the GSP of Japan and the USA. Solomon Islands ge nerally, supports the notion of a regional free-
trade area among the Pacific Island countries; as well as the regional trade initiatives begin undertaken
within the Forum Economic Ministers Meeting.PRESS/TPRB/81
Page 16
MORETRADE POLICY IMPLEMENTATION
The continuous decline of nominal and effective tariffs is part of Governments policy to gradually move
away from dependence on import duties as a source of revenue.  Solomon Island has introduced a revised
tariff schedule which commenced from March 1998.  The new tariff condensed the original number of
individual ad valoren  rates which ranged from zero to 225%, down to five rates ranging from 5%, 10%,
40% and 70%.  The highest rates of 40% and 70%, apply to 34% of tariff lines, cover mainly luxury goods
for revenue reasons and to avoid over-exploitation.
Solomon Island applies MFN tariffs on imports from all countries, except Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu
as founding members of MSG Trade Agreement, a nd recently Fiji following its admission to the
agreement.  This will allow Fiji elig ible products to be imported duty free.  Eligible imports from these
MSG member states are duty free, and recently expanded to 229 items from 3 in 1993.
Custom duties are levied on the C.I.F value of the imported product since 1987, when the basis for duty is
calculated from charge of “selling price to purchase”.  The method used for customs valuation is consistentwith the former Brussels Definition of value (BDV).  The Government is intending to implement the WTO
customs Valuation Agreement (CVA) by 2002, and also further decreasing the rate of customs duty, and
replacing it with value added tax (VAT).
All commodities, except logs are exported under general authority issued by the Central Bank of Solomon
Islands (CBSI) provided under the exchange control regulations.  Solomon Islands exporter do not need tobe registered.  However, export documentation ge nerally required are shipping bill and a commercial
invoice.  On logs, exporters must provide tally sheets, a price certificate from the Commissioner of Forests
as well as specific Authority from CBSI.
Realizing the short-fall faced in the past of inefficient and ineffective coordination of trade policies, the
present Government is committed to introduced a more coordinated approach to trade and economic policy
formulation and implementation.
ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT AND FACTORS INFLUENCING TRADE
In 1997, the Government introduced its key policy designed to move towards sustainable economic
growth, realizing the difficulties paused as a result of the economic situation Solomon Islands currently
faced.
The new Government has devised policies for economic reform; released in November 1997.  An integral
part of the reform program is the formulation of the Medium Term Development Plan, 1999 - 2003, aimed
at achieving balanced and sustainable economic development and sound management of its naturalresources.
To enhance the implementation of the proposed reforms, the Government has implemented an
organizational and decision making structure to administer the proposed program.  The Government also,
recognizes the urgency of translating this  commitment to reform into policy action.
In the 1998 Budget, the Government announced several in itiatives aimed at improving financial control.  It
also outlined policies taken by the Government, in an endeavour to reduce public sector expenditures,
namely:  a wage freeze on public servants and a recr uitment freeze.  Already the Government has taken
steps to increase revenue collection by reforming the customs tariff and eliminating tax exemptions where
this is legally possible.
Introducing fiscal discipline to improve checks and controls; to reduce public sector expenditure and
deficits is the Governments priority policy list in order to enhance sustainable economic growth.  Under its
reform program, it will review the present inefficient duty and tax collection and major exemption and
concessions.PRESS/TPRB/81
Page 17
MOREIn December 1997, the Government devalued the  Solomon Islands dollar by 20% against United State
dollar.  This decision was taken primary to restore the country’s international competitiveness.  Since then
the Solomon Islands dollars has stabilized against the US Dollar.
The 1998 Development Budget estimated  a total of SI$88.8 million foreign aid of which 70% occurs as
grant.  This is a large inflow to Solomon Islands economy, equivalent to 15% of total exports receipts in
1996, making it the third - largest source of foreign currency source after timber and fisheries.  The
Government under its reformed macroeconomic policies is determined to ensure that these aid inflow donot create macroeconomic instability.
One of the main objectives of SIAC Government’s reform policies is to improve the export-led growth
strategy aimed at a generation of new entrants into the Solomon Islands labour market, and to achieve an
improvement in the standard of living.  The Government has noted the importance of a flexible and
competitive labour market.
The downturn in  the Asian economies has been instrumental in the current decline in the logging sector.
South Korea and Japan have been our traditional markets for South Sea logs.  Solomon Islands is now
seeking alternative markets for logs stock piled in log ponds.
Solomon Islands intends to implement its Uruguay Round obligations; by reforming legislation affecting
trade.  However, while Solomon Islands wishes to begin these reforms at the earliest possible, limited
resources will affect the progress of the review of these policies.  The Solomon Islands will be seeking
technical assistance from de veloped WTO members to assist in the preparation of legislation to assure
compatibility of WTO laws with existing obligations.
Lack of expertise, marketing skills, and distance to markets; and venerability to natural disaster, will
remain the major constraints to the development of the Solomon Islands export sector.
Solomon Islands is strongly supportive of the Multilatera l Trading System and the liberalization of global
trade bearing in mind the special needs of least developed and highly vulnerable island states.
In its effort to liberalize trade the Government in 1997 under its Reform Programs restructured, the Import
and Export Tariffs and reduced the number of rates from some twenty different rates to seven basic rates
with 5% being the minimum and 70% the maximum.  The other rates are 10%, 20% 40% and 50%.
The restructuring reflects most products now bearing 10%-40% whereas before the reduction those
commodities carried between 50%-100% and in some cas es were even as high 200%.  The 70% rate in
many cases is used as a protective rate but this pr otection is subject to review and maybe removed if a
local manufacturer does not impr ove his product quality and stay competitive in the market.
In the areas of export tax, most exports are either free of duty or carry low duty rates between 5% - 10%.
The 5% rate is imposed on major exports such as palm oil, cocoa, copra and tuna.  The 10% rate isimposed on all marine products except trocus shell which bears 30% as a protective rate.  Farmed marine
products are free of export duty to enc ourage export of locally bred products.
There are no export taxes on manufactured products ther e is no export duty levied on those.  This is to
encourage local manufacturing and export of those products.
Solomon Islands has made a progress in restructuring of its import tariff by reducing the number of duty
rates and lowering the rates in may cases although a few essential items have been increased for revenue
and protective reasons.PRESS/TPRB/81
Page 18
CONCLUSION
The government has recently undertaken a comprehens ive program aimed at achie ving sustainable private
sector led economic growth.  It is also committed to fulfill its WTO obligation to wards trade liberalization
policy measures.  However, Solomon Islands will need mo re time to adjust its existing laws and regulation
affecting trade.  Because of its small but open economy, Solomon Islands will have to carefully monitorthe pace of its import and export liberalization, in order to allow time to enhance local efficiency
productivity and strengthen competitiveness.  With th is in mind, Solomon Islands will employ a phasing
reform approach towards its trade liberalization.
Solomon Islands Trade Policy Review preparatory work which began in March 1998, has given us an
opportunity to identify our constraints and opportunities for trade development.  This will enable us, to
reform our trade policies and create a trading environment for the private sector to get maximum economic
benefits from reforms and adjustments made to our trade development policies.
The government is presenting the country’s legal frame work as a priority with a view to accommodate any
policy changes for the effective development of the private sector .
It is the Government policy to continue to promote and encourage greater transparency, harmonization of
tariffs, and slowly remove trade distortions and trade barriers.  To that end the Government of the Solomon
Islands intends to bring legislation to parliament th at will see all tax incentives granted to investors
gazetted and publicly notified.
Solomon Islands will continue to support private sect or lead growth through the improvement of economic
infrastructure, Human Resources Development, aimed at improving domestic labour market productivity;
and the provision of competitive market environment.
Since accession to the WTO in June 1996 Solomon Islands is committed to continue to make
modifications to existing laws and regulations, and implements various measures to assure compliance
with its commitments in the WTO, despite the complexity of the work involved.
Solomon Islands recognizes the importance of free and open  trade, and will, therefore, continue to conduct
its trade policy in  a transparent and fair manner.
END