WITH growth in the Solomon Islands expected to moderate to 3-percent in 2017 and 2.8 percent in 2018, tourism is being viewed as an untapped source for economic growth, says a new Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) report.

The new Asian Development Outlook (ADO) 2017, ADB’s flagship annual economic report, notes that gross domestic product (GDP) growth in the Pacific nation accelerated to 3.2 percent in 2016, but will likely moderate as the short-term benefits of expansionary fiscal policy and unsustainable logging dissipate.

“Growth has been broadly steady, but in the absence of more sustainable drivers, it will slow over the medium term,” said Roland Rajah, Senior Economist at ADB’s Pacific Liaison and Coordination Office.

“Infrastructure investment, better expenditure management, and implementation of the National Tourism Development Strategy would help generate more sustainable growth.”

The report notes new economic drivers are urgently needed to replace logging and external assistance — both of which are expected to decline over the medium term.

Tourism offers a new driver for growth, as Solomon Islands is widely considered to have world class tourism potential.

Continued implementation of the government’s tourism strategy should help to unlock the country’s tourism potential and gradually provide a more sustainable source of growth.

Rising international commodity prices will push inflation higher but it should nonetheless remain relatively subdued at 1.8 percent in 2017 and 2.2 percent in 2018.

The current account deficit widened significantly to 7.3 percent of GDP in 2016 and is expected to widen further to reach 10.7 percent of GDP in 2018 amid high import needs for large planned investment projects, including the Tina River Hydropower Project.

ADB recently boosted its field presence in the country by opening a new Extended Mission in the Solomon Islands.

The office assists the government in implementing its National Development Strategy 2016-2035 through activities outlined in ADB’s Pacific Approach.

Since 1973, ADB has provided around $234 million in assistance to the Solomon Islands comprised of 20 sovereign loans, as well as 14 grants and technical assistance amounting to $21.6 million. In addition to direct funding, ADB has also mobilised co-financing for the country amounting to $125 million for 10 investment projects, and $9.6 million for 13 technical assistance projects.

ADB, based in Manila, is dedicated to reducing poverty in Asia and the Pacific through inclusive economic growth, environmentally sustainable growth, and regional integration. Established in 1966, ADB is celebrating 50 years of development partnership in the region. It is owned by 67 members—48 from the region.

–ADB PRESS