ADB to aid displaced sugar & garment industries of Fiji Islands
04 Apr '06
3 min read
Poverty remains a growing concern in Fiji Islands, despite the overall level of development and moderately high average incomes. The most recent official figures available indicate that more than 28 percent of the population does not earn an adequate income to meet basic needs.
Fiji islands' economic performance has been mixed in recent years, its growth averaging 2.5 percent per year in 1999-2004. With the country losing its garments quota for the US market at the start of 2005, job losses are expected.
Meanwhile, the sugar industry, which has relied on a subsidy from the EU, is expected to gradually shrink over the next four years by almost 40 percent in compliance with its WTO commitments. In the process, many farming households will be displaced and will need to identify alternative sources of livelihoods.
A planned alternative livelihoods project is aimed at generating jobs for those displaced by the contraction of the sugar and garment industries. A similar program for rural and outer islands development that would address the limited economic opportunities outside the main urban areas would complement this.
The CSP Update adopts a new results-based approach to improve monitoring of the impact of ADB's development work in the country – from strategic planning through to completion of projects. It aims to strengthen the results orientation in the Government's planning by including a results framework that identifies outcomes and indicators.
ADB, based in Manila, is dedicated to reducing poverty in the Asia and Pacific region through pro-poor sustainable economic growth, social development, and good governance. Established in 1966, it is owned by 64 members - 46 from the region. In 2005, it approved loans and grants for projects totaling $6.95 billion, and technical assistance amounting to $198.8 million.
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