The South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation (SAARC) is now 25 years old. The charter, which was signed by Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka in 1985, has many similarities to the founding charters of similar regional associations signed elsewhere....

In the context of the ongoing current global economic downturn, mobilization of foreign exchange earnings has assumed considerable importance. By adopting an augmented Solow model approach, this paper examines the long-run growth effects of Fijis inward remittances during a threedecade period...

Vanuatu is a pure tax haven. Freedom of movement of capital and absence of direct taxation of any kind on citizens and resident expatriates alike made Vanuatu an attractive offshore financial center (OFC) in the Pacific. Vanuatu for its budgetary needs has therefore, been depending on indirect...

This paper examines the roles of foreign direct investment (FDI) and financial development (FD) in Pacific island countries (PICs), with a case study on Vanuatu. It has been documented in various empirical studies on other regions that well developed financial systems enable countries to take...

Inward remittances have been a great support to Tongan economy. Aside from being a major source of foreign exchange earnings, they supplement domestic savings and real resources. This paper examines how remittance inflows in combination with increased financial development during a 28 year...

Remittances have been a great support to Pacific island countries (PICs). Aside from providing additions to domestic savings and hence real resources, they have been one of the major sources of foreign exchange earnings. In the context of falling exports and limited options to diversify their...

This paper investigates the nexus between economic growth and oil price in Pacific island countries (PICs). Except Papua New Guinea, none of the PICs has fossil fuel resources. Consequently, the 13 PICs are totally dependent on oil imports for their economic activities. Since PICs have limited...