Economy overview: The bulk of the population depends on agriculture, fishing and the timber industry, which provide them with a minimal livelihood. The main manufactured goods and oil products are imported. The islands are rich in unexploited mineral resources such as lead, zinc, nickel, and gold. However, violent inter-ethnic clashes, the closure of key businesses and the depletion of public finances led to a prolonged economic downturn. Supplies of vital fuel, including fuel for power plants, are intermittent due to the government’s inability to pay for them, as well as the risk of attacks on ships. Telecommunications are in a dangerous state due to a lack of service and personnel, a significant part of which has left the country. See topb2bwebsites.com to know more about Solomon Islands in 2004. GDP: at purchasing power parity – $900 million (2000 est.). Real GDP growth rate: 1% (2000 est.), GDP per capita: at purchasing power parity – $2,000 (2000 est.). The composition of GDP by sectors of the economy: agriculture: 50%; industry: 3.5%; services: 46.5% (1995). Proportion of the population below the poverty line: no data available. Percentage distribution of household income or consumption: for the poorest 10% of households: n/a; by top 10% of households: no data. Inflation rate at consumer prices: 10% (1999 est.). Labor force: 26,842 people Employment structure: no data. Unemployment rate: no data. Budget: revenues: $147 million; expenditures: $168 million, including capital expenditures – NA (1997 est.). Spheres of economy: fishing (tuna), mining, timber industry. Growth in industrial production: n/a, Electricity generation: 30 million kWh (1999). Sources of electricity generation: fossil fuels: 100%; hydropower: 0%; nuclear fuel: 0%; others: 0% (1999). Electricity consumption: 27.9 million kWh (1999) Electricity export: 0 kWh (1999). Electricity import: 0 kWh (1999). Agricultural products: cocoa, legumes, coconuts, palm kernels, rice, potatoes, vegetables, fruits; cattle, pigs; forest; fish. Exports: $165 million (free on board, 1999 est.) Exports: timber, fish, palm oil, cocoa, copra. Export partners: Japan 35.5%, other Asian countries 47.3% (1999). Imports: $152 million (free on board, 1999 est.) Imports: industrial equipment, manufactured goods, food and livestock, fuels, chemicals. Import partners: Australia 38.5%, Singapore 15%, Japan 10.6%, New Zealand 6.2% (1999). External debt: $152.4 million (1998). Economic aid recipient: $47 million (1999 est.), principally from Japan, Australia, China, and New Zealand. Economic aid donor: Currency: Solomon Islands dollar. Currency code: SBD. Exchange rate: SBD/USD – 5.0968 (November 2000), 5.0864 (2000), 4.8381 (1999), 4.8156 3.7169 (1997), 3.5664 (1996). Fiscal year: calendar year.
Telecommunications
Telecommunications Telephone lines: 8,000 (1997). Mobile Cell Phones: 658 (1997). Telephone system: internal: no data; international: satellite earth station – 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean). Broadcast stations: AM – 3, FM – 0, shortwave – 0 (1998). Radio receivers: 57,000 (1997). Television broadcast stations: 0 (1997). Televisions: 3,000 (1997). Internet country code: sb Internet providers: 1 (2000). Number of users: 3,000 (2000).
Transportation
Transport Railways: 0 km. Roads: total: 1,360 km; coated: 34 km; unpaved: 1,326 km (including about 800 km of private plantation roads) (1996 est.). Ports and harbours: Aola, Viru Harbor, Lofung, Noro, Honiara, Yandina. Merchant fleet: none (2000 est.). Airports: 31 (2000 est.). Airports with paved runways: total: 2; from 1524 to 2437 m:1; from 914 to 1523 m: 1 (2000 est.). Airports with unpaved runways: total: 29; 1524 to 2437 M:1; from 914 to 1523 m: 10; less than 914 m: 18 (2000 est.).
Armed forces
Arms of the Armed Forces: no regular armed forces; National Intelligence and Border Force of the Solomon Islands; Ko-ropevskaya police of the Solomon Islands. Conscription age: Total military manpower: Eligible for military service: Number of persons reaching draft age each year: Military spending in dollar terms: not available. Military spending as part of GDP: no data available.
