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

Page 40Other forms of government support may also be available to investors, depending on thenature of the proposed pearl farming venture. These may include:• provision of historical information held by the Government that may be relevant topearl farming operations;• access to hatchery and/ or analytical laboratory facilities in which the Government hasan interest;• jointly financed or executed pearl farming research activities;• community extension and training activities by Government in support of pearlfarming development.The Government wishes to ensure that pearl farming investors conduct their operations in amanner that is socially and environmentally responsible, and which provides genuinedevelopment benefits for the country. Factors that will be taken into account whenconsidering pearl farming investment proposals or negotiating cooperative projects thatinvolve the government include:• the degree to which local communities are likely to benefit from the project in termsof employment, collection and processing of spat, lease payments, training and skillsdevelopment, and other advantages;• the likely benefits to Solomon Islands in terms of exports and foreign exchangeearnings;• the commitment of the investor to environmentally responsible operations, asevidenced by the environmental management plan or code of practice for the project.As the Solomon Islands pearl industry develops, the Government will establish andparticipate in consultative mechanisms that will ensure full and open dialogue betweencommercial pearl farmers, participating communities, and relevant government agencies. TheGovernment will work closely with the industry to ensure that pearl farming managementarrangements remain appropriate to the needs and development of the sector, and to ensurethat the interest of all participants are fully protected.= = = = = = = = = =