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EAP - The Pacific Infrastructure Challenge - World Bank (2006).pdf

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6 Why the Difference in Performance<br />

<strong>The</strong> preceding section showed that levels of infrastructure access, quality and efficiency<br />

vary between countries of a similar size and income level within the <strong>Pacific</strong> region itself,<br />

and relative to the comparator countries.<br />

<strong>The</strong>re a re a number of possible reasons for the difference in performance. It is critically<br />

important to diagnose the problem correctly. It may be tempting to ascribe problems to<br />

the physical, social, and cultural features of the <strong>Pacific</strong> countries which are outside<br />

government control. However, an incorrect diagnosis would lead to poor policies.<br />

In this section we consider the different defining characteristics, such as population size,<br />

remoteness, or topography. Some of these characteristics make it more difficult to achieve<br />

good infrastructure performance, such as small scale, limited human resources or<br />

dependence on aid. We ask if these characteristics explain poor performance.<br />

We then look at the institutional and management arrangements which influence<br />

infrastructure performance. Strong institutions can help small dispersed communities to<br />

improve performance despite any natural disadvantages. We ask to what extent weak<br />

institutions explain poor outcomes.<br />

6.1 <strong>The</strong> <strong>Pacific</strong> Context<br />

<strong>Pacific</strong> nations are relatively poor. Figure 6.1 shows that they have lower levels of income<br />

per capita than almost all comparator countries.<br />

Figure 6.1: GNI per Capita (Atlas Method)<br />

GNI per capita (Atlas - current US$)<br />

10,000<br />

9,000<br />

8,000<br />

7,000<br />

6,000<br />

5,000<br />

4,000<br />

3,000<br />

2,000<br />

1,000<br />

-<br />

Source: <strong>World</strong> Development Indicators 2003<br />

Timor-Leste<br />

Papua NewGuinea<br />

Solomon Islands<br />

Kiribati<br />

Philippines<br />

Vanuatu<br />

Samoa<br />

Tonga<br />

Micronesia, Fed. Sts.<br />

Fiji<br />

Marshall Islands<br />

Jamaica<br />

Dominica<br />

Grenada<br />

St. Lucia<br />

Mauritius<br />

St. Kitts and Nevis<br />

Barbados<br />

19

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