The Role of the Private Sector in Promoting Economic Growth and Reducing Poverty in the Indo-Pacific Region

Abstract

This submission is provided as a means of informing the inquiry as to the context of private sector engagement in the Pacific island region. This submission does not focus on the private sectors of Australia and Papua New Guinea (PNG). Rather it is intended to provide useful background information regarding the private sectors of other, smaller economies of Melanesia and the wider Pacific region (e.g. Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Samoa). Before moving to more practical issues, there is a question of ideology to be addressed: is it good practice for private sector organisations to be given money from the aid budget in order to pursue 'for profit' activities in the hope that they will also deliver development outcomes?