Pacific Economic Survey 2008 is the first of a series of annual surveys that will provide an overview and update of economic developments in the Pacific island region and Timor-Leste.

Each Survey will also include separate chapters on particular issues of importance to the region. This year’s Survey examines the challenges of better connecting the Pacific through impoved telecommunication, aviation and shipping services.

Pacific Economic Survey 2008 covers the 14 Pacific island members of the Pacific Islands Forum and Timor-Leste. Timor-Leste is included because it shares many of the development challenges of the Pacific island nations and because of its close proximity.

The Survey was guided by a regional steering group of leading regional figures from the Pacific and senior AusAID staff. The principal authors of the Survey were AusAID Chief Economist Dr Stephen Howes and AusAID economic adviser, Matthew Morris, who drew on expertise from the region and around the world.

Pacific Economic Survey 2008 has been peer reviewed by Professor Ron Duncan from the University of the South Pacific and Professor Satish Chand from the Australian National University. It has also been informed by comments from the International Monetary Fund, World Bank, Asian Development Bank, NZAID, the Secretariat of the Pacific Community and Australian government departments.