| Ideas and Information for Economic Development on Simbo Island March 2009 by Richard Torian (This article was written by me in a response to a request from a resident (Gideon) of Simbo Island, the Solomon Islands, to search the Internet and develop ideas on how Simbo Island might achieve greater economic development.) I. Ecotourism Gideon listed in his November email to me ecotourism as a possible economic development project. After researching information that I have found on websites about ecotourism and the Solomon Islands, I believe ecotourism could be a good Simbo Island economic development option. Here are some reasons: 1) the Western Province has been successful (for many good reasons) as a destination for eco-tourists; 2) Simbo Island might be invaluable because of its location and physical features, if the value is in terms of an ecotourism destination; 3) the Solomon Islands wants to develop ecotourism, and supports efforts to do so; 4) ecotourism offers excellent economic prospects, likely better than most other options, and; 5) based on my very limited knowledge of Solomon Islands’ social, culture, and land ownership patterns and traditions, these patterns and traditions seem to fit well with achieving a successful ecotourism product. However, the development of ecotourism has many drawbacks such as it probably would require the longest time span, require the most expense, and have the greatest risk of failure, with the greatest lost if it does fail. I have studied a satellite image of Simbo Island (http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&tab=wl) and what I see suggests favorable ideas about Simbo Island as an ecotourism site. If I am indeed looking at Simbo Island, Simbo Island is an approximately 7 square mile land area, shaped somewhat like a figure 8, with the presence of the hot water creator Lake Ove (near Tapurai at the north end), and another smaller lake at the other, south end of the Island, a protected inlet at the south end, and some sandy beaches (if what I am seeing is sand). These features suggest to me attributes useful in an ecotourism program. (To see the satellite image of Simbo Island at the link above, click “set default location”, type in 8 17 S 156 31 E in the box, and then click save. Then, click “Satellite” in the map area. You should see “Tapurai” at the top of the island. If the entire island is not seen, click on the bar lying on the zipper and push the bar up or down. At the fullest satellite image resolution available (bar moved up), individual buildings and a boat dock, at the center community, should be distinguishable.) From what I see on the satellite imagery, there seems to be three larger community developments, one at each end of the island and one in the center, and some smaller communities. I can envision a series of hiking trails that criss-cross the island and from north to south. However, I cannot determine from the satellite image if the terrain is such that hiking trails are possible. Other features about Simbo Island that seem favorable as an ecotourism destination site are: its separation from other land masses; it is approximately 30 km from Gizo, a diver’s destination; and the development of an international airport at Noro, near Munda. Here are some other websites providing some insights on Solomon Islands ecotourism: A 1998 report by an eco-tourist on her ecotourism experience on one of the Solomon Islands is at this link: (http://www.worldwildlife.org/bsp/bcn/results/ecotour.htm). Here is a PDF file (an Adobe reader is needed on your computer to open the file) with a United Nations report on ecotourism development in the Pacific Islands (http://www.unescap.org/ttdw/Publications/TPTS_pubs/Toreview_No23_2300.pdf). Whether ecotourism is an option for Simbo Island requires, among other things, an adequate assessment of the Simbo Island’s geologic and other features and attributes. Another idea is partnering with a nearby resort, where Simbo Island could be an “eco” visit for the resorts’ guests. II. Agriculture/Fishery Gideon listed copra, poultry, and piggery as agricultural areas for possible economic development projects. After a lot of reading of reports on the Internet related to agriculture in the Solomon and the other Pacific Islands, I conclude there are three areas that should be further analyzed and pursued related to Simbo Island and agriculture and fishery: 1. Continued improvements of Simbo Island’s current subsistence (self-sufficiency) agriculture and fishery products; 2. Continued improvements of those agriculture and fishery products currently being sold successfully to markets external to Simbo Island; and 3. Coming up with one or two new products, such as honey and nuts, that can be successfully marketed, do not spoil quickly, and which may bring better returns than the presently marketed products. A goal of number 1 and 2 above would be to develop better production of current products and to start self-sufficiency in new areas, such as piggery and poultry, desired by Simbo Island residents. A goal of number 3 would be to find new products that are easily marketable and bring higher returns. Such products that other Solomon Islands apparently have produced meeting these criteria include honey, nuts, and chilies. Here is a links to a site that provide technical information on producing agricultural products: (http://www.ausaid.gov.au/publications/pubout.cfm?ID=4088_5412_1071_6193_2813&Type=PubKARD). Here is a link to a site that describes the School of Marine & Fisheries Studies in the Solomon Islands. This school offers courses in basic maritime and fisheries (http://www.spc.int/maritime/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=104&Itemid=1). Here is a link to the Solomon Islands Association of Rural Training Centers (SIARTC) at which are courses on piggery, poultry, and other subjects designed for Solomon Inland’s rural villages (http://www.siartc.org.sb/training.html). Some questions include how much land is available for agriculture on Simbo Island, the suitability of this land, and what land preparation might be needed. Another task that might be useful is surveying Simbo for what now grows naturally, and which may be commercial products. This link (http://www.agroforestry.net/pubs/NTFP.pdf), downloaded as a PFD file, identifies many such products that are found on pacific islands. If honey was a favorable product, a possible source of aid might be honey producers in the United States. Women apparently participate significantly in growing agricultural products in the Solomon Islands and therefore need to be included in economic development plans and training. Taiwan, Australia, and maybe other countries have recently conducted many agriculture-training programs in the Solomon Islands. Assuming future such programs will be offered, adequate monitoring of news sources and government announcements are needed to identify these opportunities ahead of time, and then to take advantage of the training. III. Services and Small Processing Several services and small processing topics, identified by Gideon as either current or potential Simbo Island economic opportunities, are: crafts; guest workers; sewing; special events; and students from other islands studying at Simbo. Here are some comments and website links related to some of Gideon’s topics, plus a few other topics: 1. Crafts. After reviewing some websites dealing with the development of a craft business in other countries, it seems to me that many tasks are necessary for success. For example, a Canadian website identifies skills development; product development; marketing; cooperative projects; and branding. Several associations exist with missions to provide assistance to crafters. Links to some of these association websites are at this site (http://traveler.nationalgeographic.com/shopping-guide/crafts-online-text). One such association is the World Crafts Council Asia Pacific Region (http://www.wccapr.org/index.html). Some of these websites might have useful information for developing Simbo Island crafts. Here is the identity of a book on Solomon Islands craft techniques (http://uspbookcentre.com/store/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=UBC&Product_Code=ISBN-0858070375&Category_Code=AA). 2. Sewing. The European Union in the past has assisted groups on the Solomon Islands to start and develop sewing businesses. It is not clear whether the European Union is still providing this assistance. This Solomon Times articles describe this past assistance (http://www.solomontimes.com/news.aspx?nwID=3366). A sewing business blog exists at this site (http://sewingbusiness.com/), which provides potentially useful information in the archives and is a site where questions can be asked. A sewing business capability seems to me to fit excellently with the crafts program in terms of marketing and distribution. In addition, it seems to me that unique quality products that could be produced by such a program, e.g. clothing that are unique to the Western Province and the Solomon Islands, might sell well at very acceptable rates of returns. An important purpose of an improved Simbo Island sewing capability would be providing the residents their own clothing needs. 3. Guest Workers. Both New Zealand and Australia now have Pacific Island guest worker programs. However, apparently, as of now, the Solomon Islands has not been included in the Australian guest worker program. New Zealand apparently does let Solomon Islands guest workers in (http://www.visabureau.com/newzealand/news/30-01-2009/nz-preparing-for-influx-of-seasonal-workers.aspx). A coordinated effort on Simbo Island would be best to arrange for Simbo Island participation. This coordinated effort could be done by the cooperative, if the cooperative form is adopted. 4. Coconut Processing. An alternative to copra sales might be the micro processing of coconut oil. 5. Simbo Island’s Natural Resources. A possible project is to survey and analyze Simbo Island for natural resources (e.g. minerals) that might have commercial (and other) value. Surveying Simbo Island for natural plant life with commercial value was suggested in Section II above. Available resources might support crafts development, e.g. woods for carving and mineral stones for jewelry making. A Dutch group, described at its website (http://www.nrdf.info/), apparently exists to help Solomon Islands in the sustainable use of available resources. IV. Cooperative Management Efforts 1. Infrastructure a. Solar Power. A solar project that was completed (late 1990s) at a Solomon Islands location is described at this site (http://www.self.org/solomonislands1.shtml). A more recent and larger scale solar power installation project (2008) is described at this site (http://www.anglicancommunion.org/provincialnews/melanesia/client/news/client_news_detail.cfm?naid=1441). Contacting personnel at the locations of these installations (and other solar power installation sites) might be helpful when a Simbo Island solar power project is being planned and implemented. b. Internet/Communications. According to information at this Solomon Telekom site (http://www.telekom.com.sb/), wireless Internet connection is available in Gizo using prepaid service fees. Interestingly, the information states “available in Gizo and surrounding areas”. It is not clear what is met by “surrounding areas”, but probably just a few kilometers distance. Although doubtful, is it possible that “surrounding areas” could be a distance sufficient to reach Simbo? DSL (landline) Internet connection is also apparently available in Gizo. This website (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/People_First_Network) describes an organization, People First Network (PFnet), which has, among other objectives, the facilitation of the exchange of information among the various islands in the Solomon Islands. One way this has been done is by establishing “Email Stations” across the Solomon Islands where emails can be sent and received. (I believe Simbo Island is currently using this resource.) Developments in solar power and Internet technologies, costs, and funding opportunities should be closely monitored by Simbo Island to insure timely use of these developments. This monitoring, as well as of other Solomon Islands developments, would seem to be an appropriate responsibility to assigned to the Simbo Island cooperative, if a cooperative is implemented. 2. Distribution and Warehousing. One idea might be a governmental approach to distribution. By this, it is met a regular pickup and delivery service (such as a post office might provide) to the islands in the Western Province. This service would be organized and funded by the government. With such a service, Simbo Inland products might be delivered to the Gizo market, and other locations, at reduced costs. Here is a Solomon Times article (http://www.solomontimes.com/news.aspx?nwID=2850), which seems to describe the idea and support of just such a regular pickup and delivery service. The construction of appropriate warehousing might be a suitable project for a mission group. 3. Marketing. Besides the Gizo market, other potential sales sites in Gizo (and other nearby locations) might be hotels and visiting yachts. A cooperative approach to this marketing should increase the marketing efficiency and effectiveness. A marketing project should be an assessment of whether new products, such as honey and nuts, described above, has sufficient sales potential. A Solomon Islands government department that might provide assistance in marketing, and other management efforts, might be the Department of Commerce, Industries and Employment (http://www.commerce.gov.sb/index.htm). This department apparently posts marketing opportunities on its website, although these opportunities might be beyond Simbo Island’s current needs. The Department of Commerce, Industries and Employment could also be the source of information for any business regulations that need to be met by the commercial activities on Simbo Island. 4. Training. Training opportunities for Simbo Island residents is an important goal, which is probably best identified and selected by a cooperative approach. Potential training opportunities might be found at websites like (http://www.acfid.asn.au/training). The last website identifies 28 technical vocational education training centers in the Solomon Islands. 5. Accounting. I have available the accounting program called “Simply Start”. This link (http://quickbooks.intuit.com/product/accounting-software/free-accounting-software.jsp) takes you to a website where Simple Start is described. Simply Start should be more than adequate to handle Simbo Inland’s accounting needs. A CD reader on the computer is needed to install the program on the computer. The computer needs to be using Windows XP (or Vista) and have a sufficient processor (at least Pentium II or equivalent), memory (at least 256 MB), and hard drive (at least 1 GB) capacity. I will bring the CD with me. Assuming that the Simbo Island computer capability will not support the use of Simple Start, I will search the Internet for even simpler accounting software requiring less computer capacity. 6. Sources of Funds. Sources of funds (credit, loans, grants, donations) might include: 1) banks such as the Asian Development Bank and Bank South Pacific, which have offices in the Solomon Islands; 2) Simbo Island's residents with funds and willing to loan to support economic development; and 3) governmental and nonprofit grants. The following are links to banks with offices in the Solomon Islands: (http://www.adb.org/SolomonIslands/default.asp) - Asian Development Bank; (http://www.anz.com/SolomonIslands/) - ANZ Solomon Islands; and (http://www.bsp.com.sb/) - Bank South Pacific Solomon Islands. Contacting these banks might provide, at the very least, additional information about funding resources and requirements that are possible and suitable for Simbo Island. ANZ Bank has a microfinance program. This Solomon Times article describes a funding source (as of 2007) established by the Solomon Islands Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (http://solomontimes.com/news.aspx?nwID=365). The funds are for small farmers. This Solomon Times article (http://solomontimes.com/news.aspx?nwID=612) describes a 2007 World Bank grant designed to improve, among other things, rural business development. V. Suggested Follow Up Actions on the Above 1. Much further analysis is suggested in the above. This analysis includes: a) surveying Simbo Island for various features and attributes; b) assessing skills and training needs; and c) evaluating various alternatives for economic development, some of which are identified above. 2. The above identifies several Solomon Island organizations that might be able to assist Simbo Island. Preliminary contact with these organizations to assess potential assistance opportunities should be useful. 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