Stimulating investment in pearl farming in ... - World Fish Center

Page 39Solomon Islands Pearl Farming Policy StatementThe Government of Solomon Islands notes that research carried out over the past 15 yearsindicates that Solomon Islands is a potentially suitable location for pearl farming. Attributesof the country that are positive for pearl farming include:• natural presence of three species of commercial interest (Pinctada maxima, Pinctadamargaritifera, and Pteria penguin) throughout Solomon Islands;• demonstrated levels of P. margaritifera spatfall sufficient to support commercial pearlfarming;• numerous sheltered coastal lagoons and embayments suitable for pearl farming,widely dispersed throughout the country;• unpolluted coastal waters, a clean marine environment and suitable climaticconditions for pearl farming;• a long-standing (since 1994) prohibition on export of pearl shell from the wild;• abundant unskilled and semi-skilled rural labour available at a cost far below that inother pearl farming locations in the Pacific region;• rural communities eager to support and participate in pearl farming.The Government recognises that development of a pearl farming industry in Solomon Islandshas the potential to deliver a number of benefits to the country, including:• generation of national revenue and foreign exchange through increased exports;• economic diversification;• creation of jobs;• developing new skills for Solomon Islanders; and• providing rural communities with income-earning opportunities;The Government further recognises that development of a pearl farming industry in SolomonIslands is unlikely to occur without foreign investment by experienced pearl farmingoperators. The Government wishes to actively encourage such investment by foreign pearlfarmers with the necessary technical, financial and marketing expertise to successfullycontribute to the development of a pearl farming industry in Solomon Islands. Measures thatthe Government will take to encourage foreign investment in pearl farming include:• consideration of tax concessions for new pearl farming investors for an initial periodof ten years;• issuance of long-term (ten year renewable) licences to approved pearl farmingoperations;• issuance of work permits for foreign workers having skills not available in SolomonIslands, notably senior managers and seeding technicians;• continuation of the existing ban on export of wild-caught pearl shell;• management of the industry to ensure good farm husbandry practices, minimise therisk of pearl shell disease and mortality outbreaks, and mitigate against the transfer ofparasites and pathogens;• environmental regulation of other industries which may have impacts on pearlfarming operations;• regulation of pearl exports to prevent marketing of low-grade or inferior-qualitypearls by small-scale producers who may eventually enter the industry.