COST of acquiring land in the Solomon Islands is a bit cheaper than in Vanuatu and Fiji.
That’s according to the Solomon Islands 2009 Diagnostic Trade Integrated Study (DTIS) report released last week in Honiara.
The report said that data collected for the DTIS shows that land is relatively cheap in Solomon Islands, costing only around a third of that in Vanuatu and Fiji, but construction costs are higher than in Fiji and Papua New Guinea.
The report also noted that Solomon Islands is an expensive place to do business compared to other countries in the region.
"This is a challenge at a time when some competing economies are on a more established growth path and while one of Solomon Islands' nearest neighbours, Vanuatu, is perceived as being more politically stable," the report said.
Overall the country does not rank particularly badly compared with other least developed countries - as it is emerging from an extended period of conflict.
“It should also be remembered that cost is only one of the considerations of doing business and that other features such as policy stability and trade facilitation can have a major impact,” the report noted.
By MOFFAT MAMU
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