The outer islands have suffered from a lack of leadership and sustainable economic development strategies. Despite millions of dollars of Compact funds aimed at capital and economic improvement projects in the Northwest region, all we have to show for are bankrupted Pattiw and Namonweito Authorities, rusted fishing boats, fiberglass boats. All the ill fated attempts at building sustainable development in the islands have failed miserably from lack of leadership and sound business plans. The citizens of the Northwest region have continued to leave the islands in search of jobs elsewhere. While the outer island diaspora have been the major support system for their relatives back in the outer islands through remittances, nothing has been done to empower these citizens into a viable means for sustainable economic development opportunities. Additionally, there has been no plan in place to attract more foreign investment, strengthen the current private sectors with incentives in training and hiring more outer islanders for local jobs.
Action Strategies:
- Establish an Outer Islands Economic Development Commission consisting of local business leaders and outer island experts with the mandate to assist in the promotion of new, expand existing, and incentify the diversification of a sustainable economy for the Northwest islands.
- Provide incentives and resources for outer islanders living overseas to start businesses on Weno to help support the outer islands.
- Establish a small loan system with local banks to start small businesses in the outer islands.
- Partner with international organizations such as Kiva to provide micronfinancing opportunities for outer island entrepreneurs to succeed.
- Establish a Job Training Office to provide training and resources for outer island entrepreneurs both in Chuuk and overseas and better their chances of finding and maintaining successful jobs overseas.
- Establish a website to sell goods and crafts made by outer islanders to the global community.
- Build an Outer Islands Store on Weno with a website to sell globally the crafts created in the outer islands.
