Kiribati

Politics:

• Background

  Kiribati: Politics

  FROM THE ECONOMIST INTELLIGENCE UNIT

  Politicians are largely independents

  The Gilbert Islands, which were annexed by the UK in 1915, gained full independence as the Republic of Kiribati (pronounced Kirri-bas) in 1979. The president (beretitenti) is head of government as well as head of state, and presides over a cabinet that includes the vice-president, the attorney-general and no more than eight others, whom he selects from the parliament, known as the maneaba ni maungatapu. After each election, the maneaba nominates three or four candidates for the presidency from its membership and the choice is then made by universal suffrage. The maneaba has 44 members (up from 40 in the 2003 election) elected for four-year terms by universal suffrage (the attorney-general may be an additional member if he has not been elected). Many candidates for election to the maneaba present themselves as independents.

  Teburoro Tito (pronounced Seetoh) became president in 1994. Mr Tito was re-elected in February 2003, but fresh presidential and parliamentary elections were called after a vote of no confidence. The incumbent government won the parliamentary election in May, although the opposition candidate, Anote Tong, won the presidential election in July. Mr Tong decided in 2003 to switch the country's diplomatic recognition from China to Taiwan, and China subsequently cut all financial aid and closed down its diplomatic mission on the islands. The previously Chinese-funded aid projects were picked up by the Taiwan government. In the 2007 parliamentary elections 19 independents were elected to the maneaba, followed by 18 candidates from the Pillars of Truth party (Boutokanto Koaava) and seven from the Protect the Maneaba (Maneaban Te Mauri) party. In the run-up to the presidential elections, two candidates were excluded from the ballot by parliament, which led to non-violent protests. The election resulted in Mr Tong being returned to power as president.

  Environmental issues are of great concern

  There is widespread concern among the population about the danger posed by a rise in sea levels as a result of climate change. In 2000 the World Bank estimated in a Regional Economic Report that by 2050, if no adaptation measures were undertaken, Kiribati's could lose up to 34% of its 1998 GDP because of the impacts of climate change and rising sea levels. Steps have, however, been taken to try to limit this danger. Between 2005 and 2008 the World Bank led a project designed to combat the threat of rising sea levels in Kiribati. The project involved improving coastal protection by planting mangrove forests, various fresh water-supply projects and the relocation of people to less crowded islands. It was considered a pilot project for application later to other atoll countries.

  November 24, 2009

Economy:

• Background

  Kiribati: Resources and infrastructure

  FROM THE ECONOMIST INTELLIGENCE UNIT

  There are considerable population pressures

  According to the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the population was 95,500 by mid-2007. A high population density (estimated to be 114 per sq km) has resulted in considerable population pressures, especially on the main island of Tarwara.

  Kiribati comprises one island and 32 coral atolls, which have little or no soil, and rainfall is variable, except in the north, giving only limited opportunities for agricultural development. Almost half of the population is concentrated on several islets at the south end of the atoll of Tarawa, the seat of government. The greatest development potential lies in the exploitation of marine resources within Kiribati's 3m sq km exclusive economic zone, which is one of the world's largest fishing zones.

  Travel between the islands is limited

  Ships of the Kiribati Shipping Corporation visit each island about once a month for the collection of copra, delivery of cargo and transport of passengers. The main port is Betio on Tarawa. Some inhabited Kiribati islands have airports served by the government–owned airline, Air Kiribati. The main international airport is on Tarawa, but services are infrequent and often cancelled. Air Pacific, the Fijian national carrier, operates a service (subsidised by the Kiribati government) linking Tarawa with Nadi, on Fiji's main island of Viti Levu. Our Airline (formerly Air Nauru) suspended flights to Tarawa between mid-2008 and November 2009, owing to a fuel crisis, but is now running weekly flights between Tarawa and Nadi.

  A statutory body, the Broadcasting and Publications Authority, runs a radio service and a weekly newspaper. There are an estimated 670 km of roads in Kiribati, although paved roads are present only in Tarawa and Kiritimati.

  November 24, 2009

Country Briefing

FROM THE ECONOMIST INTELLIGENCE UNIT

Land area

811 sq km

Population

95,500 (2007 Asian Development Bank estimate)

Major islands

The country is composed of three main island groups: the 16 atolls of the Gilbert Islands chain, north of Fiji; the eight atolls of the Phoenix Islands south-east of the Gilberts; and the Line Islands chain, further east. Kiritimati (Christmas Island) is the largest island and Tarawa the most populous

Capital

The official residence of the beretitenti (president) and the main maneaba (meeting place) are on Bairiki islet on Tarawa atoll

Climate

Tropical

Weather in Tarawa

Temperature varies between 22°C and 37°C in the shade. Rainfall varies between the islands and from year to year. The season of rains and westerly gales runs from October to March. In an average year, annual rainfall is over 1,500 mm

Languages

English (official language) and Gilbertese

Measures

Imperial and metric

Currency

The Australian currency (A$) is currently used. Average exchange rate in 2008: A$1.19:US$1. Exchange rate on November 12th 2009: A$1.07:US$1

Time

12 hours ahead of GMT

November 24, 2009