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COOK ISLANDS STRATEGIC ANALYSIS - Country Operations Business Plan 2016-2018 - Asian ...
COOK ISLANDS

Country Operations Business Plan 2016–2018

          STRATEGIC ANALYSIS

                 September 2015
COOK ISLANDS STRATEGIC ANALYSIS - Country Operations Business Plan 2016-2018 - Asian ...
CONTENTS

I.    DEVELOPMENT TRENDS AND ISSUES
      A.         Country Background                                          1
      B.         Highlights of Previous Programming Approach                 3

II.   THE COUNTRY STRATEGIC PRIORITIES
      A.         Developing the ADB Country Strategic Priorities             4
      B.         Implementation Issues                                       6

APPENDICES TO LINKED DOCUMENT
1.    Data Tables                                                            7
      Table 1: Progress towards the Millennium Development Goals             7
      Table 2: Country Economic Indicators                                   11
      Table 3: Country Poverty and Social Indicators                         12
      Table 4: Country Environment Indicators                                13
      Table 5: Country Portfolio Indicators                                  14
              Table 5a: Portfolio Amounts and Ratings                        14
              Table 5b: Disbursements and Net Transfers of Resources         15
              Table 5c: Project Success Rates                                16
              Table 5d: Portfolio Implementation Status                      17
2.    Development Coordination                                               19
      Table 6: Development Coordination Matrix                               19
3.    Sector Assessments                                                     22
      (I)        Public Sector Management                                    22
      (II)       Private Sector Development                                  27
      (III)      Renewable Energy                                            33
      (IV)       Information and Communication Technology                    37
4.    Risk Assessment and Management Plan                                    39
5.    Country Cost-Sharing Arrangements and Eligible Expenditure Financing
      Parameters, 2016–2018                                                  41
ABBREVIATIONS
ADB      Asian Development Bank
ADF      Asian Development Fund
CITC     Cook Islands Telecommunications Company
CPS      Country Program Strategy
COLA     Cost of Living Adjustment
DCD      Development Coordination Division
DCO      Development Coordinating Officer
DSA      Debt Sustainability Analysis
EU       European Union
FRR      Fiscal Responsibility Ratios
GDP      Gross Domestic Product
HIES     Household Expenditure and Income survey
ICT      Information, Communication and Technology
JFPR     Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction
JNAP     Joint National Action Plan for Disaster Risk Management and Climate
         Change Adaptation
IMF      International Monetary Fund
MDG      Millennium Development Goal
MFEM     Ministry of Finance and Economic Management
NESAF    National Environmental Strategic Action Plan
NSDC     National Sustainable Development Committee
NSDP     National Strategic Development Plan
NZD      New Zealand dollar
NZDP     New Zealand Development Program
PFTAC    Pacific Finance Technical Assistance Center
ODA      Official Development Assistance
OPM      Office of the Prime Minister
PCR      Project Completion Report
PEFA     Public Expenditure and Finance Analysis
PEM TA   Pacific Economic Management Technical Assistance
PRC      Peoples’ Republic of China
PSC      Public Service Commission
PSDI     Private Sector Development Institute
SOE      State owned enterprise
TAU      Te Aponga Uira
UNDP     United Nations Development Program
USD      Unites States dollar
I.      DEVELOPMENT TRENDS AND ISSUES

A.        Country Background

1.      The Cook Islands lie between the Kingdom of Tonga to the west, Kiribati to the North
and French Polynesia to the east and is surrounded by nearly two million square kilometers of
ocean. There are 15 islands in the Group with a total land area of 240 square kilometers. There
are two main groups: the north consisting of seven atolls and the south consisting of eight
volcanic islands. Cook Islands has a total population of 15,000 and most live on the largest
island Rarotonga. Many of the smaller islands are sparsely populated.

2.      Through a constitutional arrangement, Cook Islanders are citizens of New Zealand, with
rights to live and work in New Zealand and Australia. This mobility impacts almost all the social
and economic sectors in the Cook Islands. Emigration is high, averaging 1.6 per cent of the
population annually during the past 18 years. The total labor force participation rate is over 70%
(2011).1 The reservation price of labor is linked to that in New Zealand. In addition, the level of
wellbeing is high. Per capita income of the Cook Islands is $23,000, the highest in the region.
With the direct and indirect support of New Zealand, the country enjoys high standards of health
care and education. Furthermore, with strong trade and travel links with New Zealand, the
country adopts the New Zealand Dollar (NZD) as its domestic currency avoiding the need to
protect the exchange rate. Net remittances are estimated to be negative. Standard and Poors
re-affirms Cook Islands Credit Rating at B+/B and stable.2

3.      The Cook Islands is a small open economy largely dependent on tourism and
infrastructure development. Visitors to the Cook Islands increased to about 123,000 in FY2014,
up by 1.6% over FY2013, and are expected to stabilize in FY2015 and FY2016. Gross domestic
product (GDP) declined by 1.2% in FY2014, a slight improvement from 1.7% contraction in
FY2013. It is forecasted to grow by 2.1% in FY2015 and then contract by 0.3% in FY2016 as
large public investment projects end. Large capital expenditures continue to drive government’s
expansionary fiscal policies, with budget deficits seen to jump from the equivalent of 3.0% of
GDP in FY2014 to 7.3% of GDP in FY2015, before easing slightly to 7.1% in FY2016. Despite a
high GDP per capita (NZ$20,425 in FY2014), the lack of economic diversity, economies of
scale, and vulnerability to climatic conditions makes any progress fragile and reversible. Labor
market constraints also present major limitations on economic growth, an issue that is worsened
by continued depopulation, from 14,900 residents in 2006 to 13,500 in 2014.

4.     The Cook Islands is one of the few nations in the Pacific that offers a wide range of
welfare support. In 2014, local pensions were increased by 25% and other welfare payments by
10%. Tax reforms were also introduced in 2014., including an increase in the tax free threshold
from NZ$10,000 to NZ$11,000; significant reduction in income tax rates aimed predominantly at
low income earners; and increasing the minimum wage by NZ$1 (20%) to NZ$6/hour.

5.      The biggest long term strategic issue facing the Cook Islands is the reduction in
population, resembling an average annual rate of growth of –0.5 per cent, averaging about 322
people leaving year. The decline of the population is most noticeable in the Outer Islands where
the population was almost 14 per cent less in 2011 than in 2006.3 Continuous migration
constrains domestic growth by creating shortages of skilled workers. In the Cook Islands, this
gap is filled by migrant workers, largely in the services industry.

1
    Government of the Cook Islands. Source 
2
    Standard and Poors Rating Service. February 2015.
3
    Government of the Cook Islands. Source
2

6.      Infrastructure continues to be a major challenge. The current state of infrastructure
inhibits private sector investment particularly in tourism. With the assistance of development
partners, the government in recent years has raised the level of investment in urban
infrastructure, particularly port, water, and sanitation sectors. A new infrastructure master plan,
developed with assistance from the Pacific Region Infrastructure Facility, will assist in identifying
future projects and include considerations for maintenance and integration with the budget
process.

7.       The Cook Islands depends heavily on imported fuels. The total fuel import bill of the
Cook Islands in 2012 was NZ$34.6 million or 25% of total imports and 9% of gross domestic
product. Diesel-powered generators constitute about 99% of the total electricity generating
capacity. Electricity costs are also among the highest in the Pacific. The reliance on imported
fuel is reflected in the high average electricity tariff charged, which was $0.63 per kilowatt-hour
in 2013. Such a high tariff translates into 4% of annual household expenditure and 15% of
annual business entity expenditure. Volatile diesel fuel prices and heavy reliance on imported
diesel fuel for power generation significantly affects the economy and living standards in the
Cook Islands.

8.     Tourism is the mainstay of the Cook Island economy accounting for over 60% of GDP.4
The trade sector share of total GDP, which includes restaurants and accommodation, increased
from 34% in 2000 to 39% in 2012. Other important sectors contributing to the economy include
marine resources, agriculture and financial services. However, the short to medium term
prospect for substantive growth in these non-tourism sectors is limited. Environment
degradation and climate change are risks to the tourism sector. The establishment of marine
parks and a shark sanctuary are notable achievements. Support for the tourism industry through
the budget and donor assistance is sizeable estimated at around 18% of GDP. 5

9.      Improving public sector productivity remains key to the ongoing economic success of the
Cook Islands. There are approximately 1,888 employees in the Cook Islands public sector,
representing around 27 per cent of the workforce. As a proportion of the population, this has
increased to around 16 per cent due mainly to the decline in population which has occurred over
the past decade. The Cook Islands acknowledges that any reduction in the numbers of public
service staff will not translate directly into growth in the private sector as it often assumed.
Government is focused on centralizing functions to reduce red tape and increase efficiency, as
well as pursuing private sector-led growth.

10.     The country is well on track to achieving all eight MDG targets by end 2015. In addition,
the country has added its own MDG 9 of improving governance. While incidence of poverty is
not a perceived problem, a more appropriate measure is in terms of access to basic services,
opportunity to participate in socio-economic life, and adequate resources including cash for
basic needs. Income disparity is significant between the main island Rarotonga and the outer
islands.

11.     Government debt levels are estimated to be 22.3% of GDP                  for FY2015 (NZ$86 million),
well below the government’s own threshold of 35% and the 40% of                  GDP that the IMF considers
a sustainable level of foreign debt for small developing countries.              Rigorous debt maintenance
adds to the overall resilience of the country and ensures there                  is sufficient future capacity
4
    The estimate of the contribution of tourism to the economy varies from 60% to 80%.
5
    To grow the tourism sector via regular flight services, the government has been underwriting Air New Zealand
    flights to Rarotonga, Cook Islands from Los Angeles and Sydney since 2007. The cost of underwriting the airline
    has risen sharply in recent years to 11% of total budget expenditure. Government has signed a new agreement for
    2014–2018 and is expecting an increase from 22,000 to 30,000 of visitors from Sydney annually.
3

(around NZ$18 million of possible debt capacity) within the public sector to cope with external
shocks, including fiscal deficits, exchange rate risk on external debt, and the importance of
maintaining borrowing space to improve the country’s resilience to natural disasters. ADB’s
loans account for 70% of Cook Island’s gross debt portfolio. Debt levels are a sensitive public
issue following the events of the late 1990s where extreme public debt levels precipitated an
ADB-facilitated debt re-write off and restructuring, enforced expenditure restraints, and public
sector downsizing. The country must however avoid the repetition of the fiscal crisis of the late
1990s when debt rose to well over 100% of GDP. ADB, through assistance from the regional
Pacific Economic Management TA, will be assisting government with a macroeconomic
assessment in quarter 4, 2015. The outcome will help government determine its readiness to
take on further debt.
B.      Highlights of Previous Programming Approach

12.    ADB’s Country Partnership Strategy (CPS) 2008–2012 guided its partnership with the
Cook Islands and was closely aligned with the aims of the Cook Islands National Sustainable
Development Plan (NSDP), 2011-2015.6 Improved public infrastructure, sound public sector
management, renewable energy, information communications and technology (ICT), private
sector development, and institutional strengthening were ADB’s core areas of focus.

13.      ADB has made satisfactory progress in developing infrastructure in the Cook Islands.
The rehabilitation of the Avatiu wharf, a $24 million investment completed in 2013, has improved
the efficiency and safety of the port infrastructure in Rarotonga.7 The Economic Recovery
Support Program cluster loan of $16 million helped mitigate the impact of the global economic
crisis. Combined, the two subprograms helped reduce the impact of projected revenue shortfalls
and supported prioritized investments in infrastructure to help boost sustainable economic
growth.8 In 2013, ADB explored information communications and technology (ICT) options for
greater connectivity.9 Since 2010, a $900,000 regional grant-financed project, funded through
the Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction, has been supporting the provision of social protection to
the vulnerable. Project components include provision of care services to the elderly as well as
reviewing social welfare system.10 In support of the Cook Islands Renewable Energy Chart
Implementation Plan, ADB has been assisting government since 2011 to achieve their targeted
50% power generation from renewable energy sources by 2015, and 100% by 2020. 11

14.     Through technical assistance, ADB has supported economic management, public sector
management reforms (including a functional analysis of the public service and strengthening
outer island administration, and support for good public financial management), energy
efficiency, private sector development, infrastructure services delivery, and asset management.

6
   Government of the Cook Islands. 2011. The Cook Islands National Sustainable Development Plan, 2011–2015.
   The development of the NSDP 2016–2020 is underway.
7
   ADB. 2008. Avatiu Port Development Project. Manila; ADB 2015. Avatiu Port Development Project Completion
   Report. Manila. The project is rated successful.
8
   ADB. 2009. Economic Recovery Support Program. Subprogram 1 was implemented in 2009 and subprogram 2 in
   2012. The project completion report will be completed in Q4 2015.
9
   In 2013, ADB supported a submarine cable feasibility study, estimated to cost $35 million. The launch of the O3b
   satellite service and Telecom Cook Islands 3G mobile service network in 2014 has improved broadband internet
   capacity in the country. For the longer term, the government has prioritized a submarine cable option in the Cook
   Islands National Infrastructure and Investment Plan. ADB will stay engaged with government to monitor the growth
   in demand for internet services following the O3b introduction
10
   ADB. 2010. Social Protection of the Vulnerable in the Pacific. Manila.
11
   ADB’s support to government’s efforts includes the ongoing Promoting Energy Efficiency in the Pacific (Phase 2)
   project and the Renewable Energy Project ($11.2 million OCR loan, with EU cofinancing of $7.3 million), approved
   in November 2014 and declared effective on 9 February 2015.
4

The country has also benefited from technical support from the Pacific Regional Infrastructure
Facility (PRIF) and the Private Sector Development Institute (PSDI).12

                          II.      THE COUNTRY STRATEGIC PRIORITIES

A.      Developing the ADB Country Strategic Priorities

15.     The Cook Islands NSDP, 2011-2015, envisions the highest quality of life in harmony with
the country’s culture and environment for all Cook Islanders. The eight priority areas in the
NSDP are: (i) economic development; (ii) infrastructure; (iii) energy; (iv) social development; (v)
resilience; (vi) ecological sustainability; (vii) governance; and (viii) law and order. The progress
towards NSDP goals in energy, social development, resilience, ecological sustainability and law
and order has been evaluated by government as satisfactory while the targets that are lagging
behind are economic development, infrastructure, and governance. As the Cook Islands is not a
member of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank Group, ADB plays a pivotal role
in helping government deliver the national objectives of the NSDP.

16.     The ADB’s Interim Pacific Approach 2015, which extends the validity of ADB's Pacific
Approach 2010–2014, serves as the country partnership strategy for the Cook Islands, and aims
to achieve sustained, resilient, and improved living standards for all Pacific Developing Member
Countries.13 In light of the high standards of education and health care in the Cook Islands, the
demand for support in the key social sectors of health, education and direct poverty alleviation
are not strong. These sectors are also well catered for by bilateral development partners
especially New Zealand. Based on national priorities and comparative advantages of
development partners, targeted areas for ADB’s support include infrastructure development,
renewable energy and energy efficiency, ICT, public sector management, private sector
participation, and capacity development. These strategic priorities are in line with the Midterm
Review of Strategy 2020.14 The provision of well-focused technical assistance will remain an
integral part of the ADB support for the Cook Islands aimed at building capacity and
strengthening governance arrangements.

17.    ADB’s operations in the Cook Islands are demand-driven, within areas of ADB’s
comparative strength, and capitalize on regional approaches and partnerships. The Cook
Islands is a Group C developing member country in ADB and has access to ordinary capital
resources. The indicative resources available during 2016–2018 for sovereign operations
amount to $9.40 million. Additional resources and co-financing can be sourced to meet national
needs.15

18.    ADB’s short to medium term support will focus on (i) enabling the government to
continue improving the effectiveness of the public sector, (ii) supporting private sector-led
economic growth, (iii) supporting government’s commitment to renewable energy, and (iv)
escalating the efficiency of the ICT sector.

19.    Public Sector Management: The Cook Islands Public Sector Strengthening Strategy is
focusing on building a “Public Service of Excellence” over the medium term (2015-2020)

12
   In 2014, PRIF commenced preparation of a medium-term National Infrastructure and Investment Plan (NIIP)
   including both economic and social infrastructure. The plan was finalized in March 2015.
13
   ADB. 2015. Interim Pacific Approach, 2015. Manila; ADB. 2009. Pacific Approach, 2010–2014. Manila;
14
   ADB. 2014. Midterm Review of Strategy 2020: Meeting the Challenges of a Transforming Asia and Pacific. Manila.
15
   Since joining ADB in 1976, 19 loans for $76.90 million, 2 grants for $8.06 million, and 34 technical assistance
   projects for $12.12 million have been provided to the Cook Islands.
5

through a positive shift towards “One Government” led by the Central Agencies Committee.16
Public sector reforms require deepening to raise performances and productivity, with value in
revisiting recommendations from the 2011 ADB supported functional review.17 Additionally, the
Cook Islands state-owned enterprise portfolio continues to generate a return on equity that is
considerably below the cost of capital with a need to also strengthen the policy and legislative
framework for SOEs. Support from development partners such as IMF’s Pacific Financial
Technical Assistance Centre and ADB is also needed to help government implement
government’s public financial management roadmap, based on the 2011 public expenditure and
financial accountability assessment.18 Refer to Appendix 3 (I).

20.      Private Sector Development. Government is committed to pursuing sustainable
development through private sector-led growth. ADB’s Private Sector Development Initiative
(PSDI) recently undertook a Private Sector Assessment with recommendations to government.
Government has engaged PSDI assistance to help improve the business entry process,
including a review of the Companies Act to bring it fully in line with modern companies
legislation; develop an electronic registry allowing online filing and external searches via the
internet; develop a coherent and appropriate regulatory framework for telecommunications to
create a more competitive telecommunications industry including a telecom policy; and
strengthen the commercial operation of the government-owned Bank of Cook Islands so
businesses will get the finance they need and reduce risks to the financial system and to the
government budget. Refer to Appendix 3 (II).

21.     Energy: The government is committed to increasing the contribution of renewable
energy to 50% of the total demand in the Cook Islands by 2015 and 100% by 2020.
Government has established the Cook Islands Renewable Energy Chart Implementation Plan
(CIRECIP) 2012-2020, which sets a target of supplying electricity from renewable energy on all
inhabited islands by 2020, estimated to cost NZ$260 million depending on the technology that
will be selected and the upgrading that will be required to the existing infrastructure.19 Given the
size and scope of the project, development partner coordination is necessary for effective
implementation. ADB, New Zealand, and the European Commission are coordinating closely to
support implementation of the CIRECIP. New Zealand started solar photovoltaic power system
development on the Northern group islands in 2012 and on Rarotonga in 2014. ADB’s
renewable energy project, declared effective on 9 February 2015, will construct new solar
photovoltaic power plants on up to six islands of the Southern Group and provide institutional
strengthening support to implement the CIRECIP.20 ADB is seeking an additional $4.12 million
from the Global Environment Facility as a potential grant contribution to the Renewable Energy
Sector Project. Refer to Appendix 3 (III)

22.      ICT: The launch of the O3b satellite service and Telecom Cook Islands 3G mobile
service network in 2014 has improved broadband internet capacity in the country. Following a
feasibility study supported by ADB in 2013, the government has prioritized a submarine cable
option in the Cook Islands National Infrastructure and Investment Plan to meet the expected

16
   Office of the Prime Minister, Office of the Public Service Commissioner, Ministry of Finance and Economic
   Management
17
   ADB. 2011. Implementing Public Sector Reforms. Manila
18
   ADB’s Pacific Economic Management (PEM) Phase 2 is assisting government proactively manage their fiscal risks,
   provide macroeconomic and fiscal policy advice, and build capacity in the development of fiscal analytic skills and
   tools.
19
   The Government of the Cook Islands. 2012. The Cook Islands Renewable Energy Chart Implementation Plan,
   Avarua, Rarotonga.
20
   ADB. 2014. Report and Recommendation of the President to the Board of Directors: Proposed Loan and
   Administration of Grant to the Cook Islands for the Renewable Energy Sector Project. Manila.
6

growth in demand for high quality internet services.21 Should this project develop, the
government will be looking at both sovereign and nonsovereign financing. PARD’s ICT team
and the Private Sector Operations Department (PSOD) will stay engaged with government to
monitor the growth in demand and assess whether the demand level will justify the introduction
of a cable system in 2019. Refer to Appendix 3 (IV).

B.         Implementation Issues

23.     Capacity: Limited technical capacity remains the overriding concern of any project
design and project implementation. The retention of administrative skills is also a challenge as
young people move on to New Zealand and Australia. Consideration will have to be given to
outsourcing these skills wherever necessary. Capacity building both at technical and
management levels will continue to be the top priority of government and development partners.
ADB will continue to provide assistance to enhance local capacity in design and implementation
of investment projects, policy formulation, and advisory support.

21
     ADB. 2013. Report on the Feasibility of an International Submarine Cable System for the Cook Islands. Manila;
     Government of the Cook Islands. 2015. Cook Islands National Infrastructure Investment Plan. Rarotonga. This
     plan, which included both economic and social infrastructure, was developed with support from the Pacific Region
     Infrastructure Facility.
7        Appendix 1

                       Table 1: Progress towards the Millennium Development Goals

                   Goals and Target                                                   Country Status
Goal 1: Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger                    On Track

Target 1.A: Halve, between 1990 and 2015, the proportion of     Poverty as defined in the MDG is absent in the Cook Islands
people whose income is less than $1 a day                       (CI). Poverty is better measured in terms of access to basic
                                                                services, opportunity to participate in socio-economic life, and
                                                                adequate resource including cash for basic needs. GDP per
                                                                capita is approximately NZ$$27,000, the highest amongst the
                                                                PDMCs. Access to job markets in New Zealand and welfare
                                                                systems are available. Public services are generally good. The
                                                                issue is more over inequality of income between the main island
                                                                Rarotonga and the outer islands. The average income of people
                                                                in Rarotonga (NZ$15,700) was more than double of that in the
                                                                Southern (NZ$7,200) and Northern group islands (NZ$7,800).

Target 1.B: Achieve full and productive employment and          The labour participation rate is high at 75% of working age
decent work for all, including women and young people           population in both the formal and informal sectors. The
                                                                emigration of skilled workers to New Zealand is a major
                                                                concern for the Cook Islands. This has led to decline in
                                                                population and an increase in foreign workers.

Target 1.C: Halve, between 1990 and 2015, the proportion of     Hunger is also not an issue for the CI. However, obesity,
people who suffer from hunger.                                  including among children, has emerged as a serious issue for
                                                                the Cook Islands. The Ministry of Health will collect data on the
                                                                weight of children to better target its obesity prevention
                                                                programmes.
Goal 2: Achieve universal primary education                     On Track

Target 2.A: Ensure that, by 2015, children everywhere, boys     Education in the Cook Islands continues to be compulsory and
and girls alike, will be able to complete a full course of      free for children from 4–16 years of age. Cook Islands also has
primary schooling                                               a high literacy rate. The decline in the survival rate to the last
                                                                grade in primary education was a result of outmigration and not
                                                                as a result of drop-outs. Raising the quality of education,
                                                                beyond access, is the major focus for the CI. This is evident
                                                                from the 2011–2015 National Sustainable Development Plan,
                                                                which focuses on education-quality based M&E indicators.
                                                                Several initiatives ensure quality primary education, including
                                                                rigorous numeracy/literacy programmes and significant
                                                                resourcing of school libraries. Also, the Inclusive Education
                                                                Policy aims to ensure that children with particular learning and
                                                                physical needs are in school, and, where practicable,
                                                                mainstreamed into classrooms. The Education Master Plan
                                                                identifies pre and post school education as priorities. The CI
                                                                pays child allowance for each child below 16 years of age.
Goal 3: Promote gender equality and empower women               On Track

Target 3.A: Eliminate gender disparity in primary and           Cook Islands has achieved gender parity in primary and
secondary education, preferably by 2005, and in all levels of   secondary education. While the latest data for the gender parity
education no later than 2015                                    index in tertiary education is not available, based on historical
                                                                data and current trends, it is also likely that Cook Islands has
                                                                also achieved gender parity in tertiary education.

                                                                The number of women employed in the non-agricultural sector
                                                                has increased steadily since 1990 from 38% in 1991 to 55% in
                                                                2006.

                                                                Although participation of women in the labour force is not an
                                                                issue, there are concerns over pay disparities. Representation
                                                                of women in parliament is low, as women face a number of
8        Appendix 1

                                                              challenges from entering politics, including lack of time and
                                                              financial resources, weak social capital and deep-rooted beliefs
                                                              that politics are the domain of men.

                                                              The Government of the Cook Islands has had a national gender
                                                              policy in place since 1995 and recently updated its national
                                                              policy, with the inclusion of a Strategic Plan of Action (2011-
                                                              2016). The current national policy and strategic action plan
                                                              effectively identifies and addresses areas to improve gender
                                                              equality and empowerment
Goal 4: Reduce child mortality                                On Track

Target 4.A: Reduce by two thirds, between 1990 and 2015,      The average annual number of live births in the CI is around
the under-five mortality rate                                 300. This means that the statistical impact of even one death on
                                                              the U5M and IM rates, per 1,000 live births, has a profound and
                                                              misleading effect. Therefore, the global MDG target of a two-
                                                              thirds reduction of the U5M rate from 1990 to 2015 is not
                                                              relevant in the context of the CI due to the small size of the
                                                              population. Also as a result of population dynamics, data is
                                                              better assessed over a multi-year period rather than a single
                                                              year. The CI national target is to maintain a low U5M rate. Both
                                                              the U5M and IM rates have declined in the review period,
                                                              consistent with the increase in the measles immunisation over
                                                              the period 2001–2008, by 14%.

                                                              Child mortality rates are also significantly low compared to
                                                              international standards. Public health care for children up to 16
                                                              years of age is free. The major challenge for the Cook Islands is
                                                              to provide quality health services to the outer islands amid
                                                              depopulation and geographical constraints.
Goal 5: Improve maternal health                               On Track

Target 5.A: Reduce by three quarters, between 1990 and        The global MDG target of a three-quarters reduction of the
2015, the maternal mortality ratio                            MMR is not relevant in the context of the Cook Islands due to
                                                              the small size of the population. Maternal deaths are a rare
                                                              occurrence. Between 1990 and 2010, there were only 2
                                                              maternal deaths, recorded in 1992 and 1995. Skilled birth
                                                              attendance is 100%.

Target 5.B: Achieve, by 2015, universal access to             CI has the highest contraceptive prevalence rate (CPR) among
reproductive health                                           the PDMCs. Teenage pregnancies are on the decline and are
                                                              comparatively low, while there is 100 % antenatal coverage.
Goal 6: Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other diseases          On Track

Target 6.A: Have halted by 2015, and begun to reverse, the    There have been no officially recorded cases of HIV/AIDS in the
spread of HIV/AIDS                                            Cook Islands. However, there is a high prevalence of STIs, and
                                                              coupled with the low condom use, mobility of residents and high
                                                              number of tourists, the spread of HIV/AIDS is still a risk

Target 6.B: Achieve, by 2010, universal access to treatment   Not applicable
for HIV/AIDS for all those who need it
                                                              Not applicable. Also, there have been no tuberculosis
Target 6.C: Have halted by 2015, and begun to reverse, the    incidences since 2001.
incidence of malaria and other major diseases
Goal 7: Ensure environmental sustainability                   On Track

Target 7.A: Integrate the principles of sustainable           Ecological sustainability is one of the eight priority areas listed
development into country policies and programs and reverse    in the 2011-2015 National Sustainable Development Plan. In
the loss of environmental resources                           2011, CI adopted a Renewable Energy Chart, targeting 50 %
                                                              power generation from renewable energy by 2015, and 100 %
                                                              by 2020.
Appendix 1        9

Target 7.B: Reduce biodiversity loss, achieving, by 2010, a     Forest cover is high and remains at sustainable levels. CO2
significant reduction in the rate of loss                       emissions have increased, largely driven by increased fuel
                                                                consumption. In 2011, strategies developed to reduce the
                                                                nation’s reliance on fossil fuels which will contribute to a
                                                                reduction in CO2 emissions, although the current level remains
                                                                lower than those of developed countries. Since 2000, Cook
                                                                Islands recorded zero consumption of ODS. Traditional
                                                                protection methods continue. There are currently 39 protected
                                                                natural areas.

Target 7.C: Halve, by 2015, the proportion of people without    95%(2001) proportion of population using an improved drinking
sustainable access to safe drinking water and basic             water source an 80% (2001) using improved sanitation facility.
sanitation

Target 7.D: By 2020, achieve a significant improvement in       There are no slum dwellers in the Cook Islands.
the lives of at least 100 million slum dwellers
Goal 8: Develop a global partnership for development            On Target

Target 8.A: Develop further an open, rule-based, predictable,   The Cook Islands projected nominal GDP for 2011/2012 was
non-discriminatory trading and financial system                 NZD$369.8 million. Total ODA was NZD$19.7 million which
Target 8.B: Address the special needs of the least              accounts for 5.3% of nominal GDP. Total budget expenditure
developed countries                                             was 28% of nominal GDP. New Zealand and Australia through
Target 8.C: Address the special needs of landlocked             their harmonized aid program continues to be the Cook Islands
developing countries and small island developing states         biggest donor with a combined allocation of NZD$17 million. In
(through the Program of Action for the Sustainable              the 2013/2014 fiscal year, total contributions by donor partners
Development of Small Island Developing States and the           are budgeted at $20 million.
outcome of the twenty-second special session of the
General Assembly)                                               CI has achieved 100% coverage of essential supplies and
Target 8.D: Deal comprehensively with the debt problems of      medicines to all health clinics, and hospitals
developing countries through national and international
measures in order to make debt sustainable in the long term     Cellular usage has increased from 24.4% in 2001 to 35.7% in
Target 8.E: In cooperation with pharmaceutical companies,       2008. Currently cellular services are available only on
provide access to affordable essential drugs in developing      Rarotonga and Aitutaki. There are however plans to expand the
countries                                                       service to other islands.
Target 8.F: In cooperation with the private sector, make
available the benefits of new technologies, especially          Internet usage has increased significantly over the period 2001
information and communications                                  to 2008, from 10.8% to 32.1%. This is due to the growing
                                                                reliance on the internet, the improvement of service including
                                                                the availability of broadband in the outer islands, and the
                                                                reduction of costs. The CI telecommunications company is
                                                                switching to a new low obit satellite platform that will increase
                                                                bandwidth and improve internet access throughout the Islands.

Goal 9: Improved Governance                                     On Target

Implement half of the political reform recommendations by       No further progress has been achieved in terms of
2010                                                            fulfilling any further recommendations with the exception of an
                                                                amendment to the Electoral Act 2004 to stop party hopping by
                                                                members of parliament

Timely Financial Reports; Reporting procedures in place for     Improvements in budget preparation and oversight. The Office
M&E sector performance; Annual report of governments            of the Public Service Commissioner receives six monthly and
based expenditures publicly available                           annual reports from government agencies. Ministry income and
                                                                expenditure accounts are published by the Ministry of Economic
                                                                Management and Finance both in hard copy and on the Ministry
                                                                website.

Complete devolution process with full administration            Key functions such as education, health that were devolved to
devolved to outer islands by 2010                               local government and island administration offices have since
                                                                been restored to central ministries.

Regular review of private sector performance at all levels      Setup of a Commerce Commission is yet to be finalized. Fair
10       Appendix 1

                                                            Trading and Consumer Guarantees Acts were passed by
                                                            Parliament in 2008, however the lack of resources and capacity
                                                            to enforce these legislations is a challenge.

Code of conduct adopted for MPs, cabinet and all public     Incorporated within the Public Service Act 2009, is a Code
servants and implemented under the Public Service           Conduct for all Public Servants. The Manual of Cabinet
Commission Act                                              Procedures 2009 outlines the conduct expected of Cabinet
                                                            Ministers. There remains no Code of Conduct for
                                                            Parliamentarians.

Full and independent review of the operations and        Since the passing of the 2009 Public Service Act, the Office of
performance of the whole Cook Islands public service and the Public Service Commissioner (OPSC) began efforts to
the recommendations for improvement by 2008.             strengthen the Office and the systems and processes that
                                                         govern the public sector including conducting functional reviews
                                                         and developing standardized operations systems and
                                                         processes.
  Sources: Cook Islands National Millennium Development Goals Report 2010; Regional MDGs Tracking Report 2013,
  Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat
Appendix 1         11

                               Table 2: Country Economic Indicators
                                              Amounts in NZD

                                                                                                          a
 Indicator                                                           2012            2013          2014
 Total GDP (billion current $)                                          0.3             0.3           0.3
 GDP per capita (current $)                                        21,507.5        23,538.9      20,319.6
 GDP per capita, PPP (current international dollars)                   ---             ---           ---
 GNI per capita, Atlas method (current $)                              ---             ---           ---
 GNI growth (%)                                                        ---             ---           ---
 GDP growth (%)                                                         4.4             3.2          -1.2
            b
 Revenue (% of GDP)                                                    40.5            39.8          32.6
 Expenditure (% of GDP)                                                42.6            41.8          36.8
                b
 Fiscal balance (% of GDP)                                             -2.1            -2.0          -3.0
 Money Supply (M3) growth (%)                                          ---             ---           ---
 Inflation (annual average, %)                                          2.8             2.8           1.6
 Unemployment (% of labor force)                                       ---             ---           ---
 Merchandise exports (% of GDP)                                         1.0            ---           ---
 Merchandise imports (% of GDP)                                       -37.4            ---           ---
 Merchandise trade balance (% of GDP)                                 -42.7           -42.1         -42.1
                          c
 Current account balance (% of GDP)                                    ---             ---           26.6
 Remittances (% of GDP)                                                ---             ---           ---
 Foreign direct investment (% of GDP)                                  ---             ---           ---
 Merchandise export growth (%)                                        -24.4            ---           ---
 Merchandise import growth (%)                                          7.4            ---           ---
 Total external debt (% of GDP)                                        21.8            24.0          20.0
 Total external debt service (% of exports & services)                 ---             ---           ---
 Gross international reserves (in months of imports)                   ---             ---           ---
 Average exchange rate (New Zealand dollar/US dollar)                   1.2             1.2           1.2
a
 Preliminary.
Sources: ADB. Asian Development Outlook database; Pacific Economic Monitor 2014;

                                         Projections (2014–2015)
                Indicator                                           2014            2015
                GDP growth (%)                                       2.2             2.5
                Inflation (average, %)                               1.9             2.5
                Current account balance (% of GDP)                  ---             ---
                Sources: ADB. Asian Development Outlook database; Pacific Economic Monitor 2014.
12      Appendix 1

                            Table 3: Country Poverty and Social Indicators
Item                                                              Baseline        Midpoint        Latest Year
A. Population Indicators
     Total Population                                                    …              …        17,794(2011)
 Resident Population                                                     …              …        14,974(2011)
 Male                                                                    …              …         7,490(2011)
 Female                                                                  …              …         7,484(2011)
 Population Density (No. of people, km2)                                 ...            …            63(2011)
 Rarotonga                                                               …              …           195(2011)
 Urban Population-Rarotonga                                              …                       13,095(2011)

B. Social Indicators
Life Expectancy at birth                                          70(1990)           72(2000)          77(2011)
    Under 5 mortality (per 1,000 live births)                            …      26.1(1996-02)      7.0(2008-10)
    Infant mortality (per 1,000 live births)                  16.1(1990-94)     13.9(1998-02)     10.8(2006-10)
    Maternal mortality (per 100,000 live births)              39.2(1900-94)      0.0(1998-02)      0.0(2006-10)
    Skilled birth attendance (%)                                 70.0(1988)        98.0(2001)       100.0(2008)
    Net enrolment ratio in primary education (%)                         …         92.0(2001)       98.0(2011e)
    Literacy rates of 15-24 years old (%)                                …         99.0(2001)       99.0(2009e)
    Gender Parity index in primary education                     98.0(1990)        89.0(2003)       102.0(2011)
    Gender Parity index in secondary education                  112.0(1990)        94.0(2003)       116.0(2011)
    Gender Parity index in tertiary education                    86.0(1990)       100.0(2003)                …
    Women in the non-agricultural sector (%)                     38.0(1991)        46.0(2001)        55.0(2006)
    Seats held by women in parliament (%)                         6.0(1991)          8.0(2001)        4.2(2011)
    Contraceptive prevalence rate (%)                                    …         47.2(2001)        46.1(2005)
    HIV prevalence of 15-24 years old                             0.0(1991)         0..0(2001)               …

C. Poverty Indicators
Basic Needs Poverty (%)                                              …                  …           28.4(2006)
Poverty Gap Ration (%)                                               …                  …            8.5(2006)
Poorest quintile in national consumption                             …                  …            9.0(2006)
Employment to population ratio (%)                                   …                  …           62.9(2008)
Employed living below $1 (PPP) per day (%)                           …                  …                  N/A
Food Poverty (%)                                                     …                  …            2.0(2006)
Labour force participation rate                                      …          69.0(2001)          70.2(2006)
Rarotonga                                                            …          76.1(2001)          76.2(2006)
Southern Group                                                       …          53.8(2001)          56.7(2006)
Northern Group                                                       …          60.1(2001)          59.5(2006)
Unemployment rate                                                    …          13.1(2001)           8.9(2006)
Rarotonga                                                            …           6.7(2001)           5.9(2006)
Southern Group                                                       …          26.8(2001)          16.5(2006)
Northern Group                                                       …          34.6(2001)          24.3(2006)
                                                                     …
… = data not available, GDP = gross domestic product.
Sources: Cook Islands National Millennium Development Goals Report 2010; Regional MDGs Tracking Report 2013,
Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat; WHO http://apps.who.int
Appendix 1       13

                               Table 4: Country Environment Indicators
Indicator                                                               Baseline               Latest Year
A. Energy Efficiency of Emissions
CO2 emissions, total (‘000 metric tons)                               22.0(1990)                70.0(2010)
CO2 emissions, per capita (metric tons)                                1.2(1990)                 3.6(2008)
Use of ODS (ODP metric tons)                                           0.1(1991)                 0.0(2009)

B. Water Pollution: Water and Sanitation
Population using improved drinking water sources (%)                   100(1990)                 100(2011)
Rarotonga                                                               99(1990)                  98(2010)
Outer Islands                                                           97(1990)                        …
Population using improved sanitation facilities (%)                    100(1990)                  95(2011)
Rarotonga                                                              100(1990)                 100(2010)
Outer Islands                                                           91(1990)                 100(2010)

C. Land Use and Deforestation
Forest area (% of total land area)                                    62.5(1990)                66.7(2010)
                                   2
Average annual deforestation (km )                                            …                         …
Average annual deforestation (% change)                                       …                         ...
Arable land (% of total land)                                                 …                         …
Permanent cropland (% of total land)                                          …                         …

D. Biodiversity and Protected Areas
Terrestrial and Marine protected areas (%)                             0.0(1990)                  0.1(2010)
Mammals (number of threatened species)                                        …                          …
Birds (number of threatened species)                                          …                          …
Higher plants (number of threatened species)                                  …                          …
Reptiles (number of threatened species)                                       …                          …
Amphibians (number of threatened species)                                     …                          …

E. Urban Areas
Urban population living in slums (%)                                     0.0(2001)               0.0(2008)
Wastewater treated (%)
Solid waste generated per capita (kg/day)
… = data not available
Sources: Cook Islands National Millennium Development Goals Report 2010; Regional MDGs Tracking Report 2013,
Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat; WHO http://apps.who.int
Table 5: Country and Portfolio Indicators

                            Table 5a: Portfolio Amounts and Ratings (Sovereign projects, as of 31 December 2014)

                                                                                                                                  PCR
                                                                           Net Loan Amount         Total
     Sector          Loan No.                     Title                       $
                                                                                      %      No.           %      Rating        Circulation    No
                                                                           million
Multisector          461        Multiproject Loan                           1.000    2.7%    1        7.1%      Not Rated          1987       102–87
Finance              567        Cook Islands Development Bank Project       1.500    4.0%    1        7.1%      Not Rated          1989       273–89
                                                                                                                 Partially
Multisector          849        Second Multiproject                        2.801    7.4%     1        7.1%                         1996       190–96
                                                                                                                Successful
                                                                                                                Generally
Transport & ICT      1031       0uter Islands Telecommunications Project   5.034    13.4%    1        7.1%                         1995       94–95
                                                                                                                Successful
                                Second Cook Islands Development Bank                                            Generally
Finance              1155                                                  1.333    3.5%     1        7.1%                         1997       115–97
                                Project                                                                         Successful
                                Emergency Telecommunications
Transport & ICT      1171                                                  0.404    1.1%     1        7.1%       Not Rated         1993       275–93
                                Rehabilitation
Agriculture &
Natural              1309       Pearl Industry Development Project         0.481    1.3%     1        7.1%     Unsatisfactory      1999       337–99
Resources
Education            1317       Education Development Project              2.529    6.7%     1        7.1%      Successful         2001       209–01
                                Third Cook Islands Development Bank
Finance              1380                                                  2.104    5.6%     1        7.1%      Successful         2003       265–03
                                Project
Public Sector                                                                                                   Generally
                     1466       Economic Restructuring Program             4.831    12.8%    1        7.1%                         1999       3–99
Management                                                                                                      Successful
                                                                                                                Generally
Multisector          1588       Cyclone Emergency Rehabilitation Project   0.636    1.7%     1        7.1%                         2000       211–00
                                                                                                                Successful
Water & Other
Municipal Infra. &   1832       Waste Management Project                   2.456    6.5%     1        7.1%      Successful         2005       353–05
Svcs
Multisector          2174       Cyclone Emergency Assistance               2.498    6.6%     1        7.1%      Successful         2010       187–10
                                Economic Recovery Support Program-
Multisector          2565                                                  10.000   26.6%    1        7.1%           -               -          -
                                Subprogram 1
                                TOTAL                                      37.607   100.0%   14      100.0%

                                                                                                                                                       Appendix 1
                                                                                                                                                       14
Appendix 1   15

                      Table 5b: Disbursements and Net Transfers of Resources
                              (Sovereign loans, as of 31 December 2014)

                   Disbursements and Transfers                         OCR          ADF         Total

Disbursements
                                                        a
     Total funds available for withdrawal ($ million)                    -            -           -
     Disbursement amount ($ million, cumulative)                       28.86       34.65        63.51
     Percentage disbursed (disbursed amount/total available)
     Disbursements ($ million, for the year ended 31Dec2014)            0.03         0.25        0.28
                          b
     Disbursement ratio                                                11.05       96.93        55.70
Net Transfer of Resources
     2010                                                               9.98        (0.41)       9.57
     2011                                                               5.53         2.39        7.92
     2012                                                               7.07         0.87        7.94
     2013                                                               4.87        (0.60)       4.27
  2014                                                                  (2.10)      (0.95)       (3.05)
ADF = Asian Development Fund, OCR = Ordinary Capital
Resources
a
    Undisbursed balance as of 31 December 2014.
b
 Ratio of total ADB Sovereign loan disbursements in a given year (or period) to its undisbursed balance
at the beginning of the year (or period). The undisbursed balance as the denominator includes 1)
undisbursed balance of effective loans, and 2) undisbursed balance of loans that were approved but not
yet effective as at the beginning of the year.
16
                                                                                                                           Appendix 1
                                            Table 5c: Project Success Rates
                                                      (1996–2014)
                                                                            Source
                                           Approval                           of                     PCR    PVR     PPER
                 Project name                                 Sector                 Latest rating
                                               date                         Latest                   year   year    Year
                                                                            rating
Cyclone Emergency                          30-Jun-05   Multisector           PVR      Successful     2010    2010
                                                       Water and Other
                                                       Municipal
                                                                                                     2005
                                                       Infrastructure and
Waste Management Project                   17-Jul-01   Services              PCR      Successful
Third Cook Islands Development Bank        26-Sep-95   Finance               PCR      Successful     2003
Education Development Project              22-Sep-94   Education            PPER      Successful     2001           2004
                                                                                      Generally
                                                                                                     2000
Cyclone Emergency Rehabilitation Project   08-Dec-97   Multisector           PCR      successful
                                                       Agriculture and
                                                                                                     1999
Pearl Industry Development Project         30-Aug-94   Natural Resources     PCR     Unsuccessful
                                                       Public Sector
                                                                                                     1999
Economic Restructuring Program             26-Sep-96   Management           PPER      Successful                    2002
                                                                                      Less than
                                                                                                     1997
Second Cook Islands Development Bank       14-Jan-92   Finance              PPER      successful                    1998
                                                                                      Less than
                                                                                                     1996
Second Multiproject                        27-Oct-87   Multisector           PCR      successful
                                                                                      Generally
                                                                                                     1995
Outer Islands Telecommunications Project   20-Sep-90   Transport and ICT     PCR      successful
                                                                                      Less than
                                                                                                     1989
 Cook Islands Development Bank Project     25-Mar-82   Finance              PPER      successful                    1990
Source: IED
Table 5d: Portfolio Implementation Status
                                                 (Sovereign loans, as of 31 December 2014)
I. Active Loans
                                                                              Cumulative
                                                             Net Loan Amount                    Approval    Effectivity
       Sector       Loan No.    Fund           Title                         Disbursement                                             Closing Date
                                                                   ($m)                           Date         Date
                                                                                 ($m)
                                                              OCR      ADF     OCR      ADF                               Original      Revised       Actual
                                       Avatiu Port
Transport & ICT      2472      OCR                            8.420      -     8.420      -     20-Nov-08   10-Sep-09     31-Dec-12    31-Dec-13     14-Apr-14
                                       Development Project
                                       Avatiu Port
Transport & ICT      2473      ADF                              -      7.037     -      6.784   20-Nov-08   10-Sep-09     31-Dec-12    31-Dec-13     14-Apr-14
                                       Development Project
                                       Avatiu Port
Transport & ICT      2739      OCR                            4.455      -     4.428      -     24-Mar-11   22-May-12     31-Dec-12    31-Dec-13     14-Apr-14
                                       Development Project
                                       Economic Recovery
Multisector          2946      OCR     Support Program-       5.983      -     5.983      -     22-Nov-12   22-Oct-13     31-Dec-12    31-Dec-13     24-Jan-14
                                       Subprogram 2
Renewable Energy-                      Renewable Energy
                     3193      OCR                            9.722              -              21-Nov-14   09-Feb-15     31-Dec-17
Solar                                  Sector
                                       Total                  28.580   7.037   18.831   6.784

                                                                                                                                                                 Appendix 1
                                                                                                                                                                 17
18
                                                                                                                                                                  Appendix 1
II. Closed Loans
                                                                              Cumulative
                     Loan                                    Net Loan Amount
      Sector                Fund            Title                            Disbursement        Approval    Effectivity               Closing Date
                      No.                                          ($m)
                                                                                 ($m)              Date         Date
                                                              OCR     ADF      OCR      ADF                                Original     Revised        Actual
Multisector          461    ADF Multiproject Loan               -     1.000      -      1.000    21-Aug-80   6-Nov-80      3-Jun-83    31-Dec-83      8-Dec-83

Finance              567    ADF Cook Islands Development        -     1.500      -      1.500    25-Mar-82   24-Nov-82 23-Nov-85 31-Dec-87            8-Jan-88
                                Bank Project
Multisector          849    ADF Second Multiproject             -     2.801      -      2.801    27-Oct-87   11-Mar-88 30-Jun-91 30-Jun-94            29-Sep-95

Transport & ICT      1031   ADF Outer Islands                   -     5.034      -      5.034    20-Sep-90   23-Jan-91 30-Sep-93 30-Sep-94            28-Sep-94
                                Telecommunications
                                Project
Finance              1155   ADF Second Cook Islands             -     1.333      -      1.333    14-Jan-92   25-Jun-92 25-Jun-96 25-Jun-96            2-Oct-95
                                Development Bank Project
Transport & ICT      1171   ADF Emergency                       -     0.404      -      0.404    16-Jul-92   3-Aug-92      31-Dec-92 30-Jun-93        21-Jul-93
                                Telecommunications
                                Rehabilitation
Agriculture &        1309   ADF Pearl Industry Development      -     0.481      -      0.481    30-Aug-94   19-Dec-94 30-Apr-98 31-Dec-98            12-Jul-99
Natural Resources               Project
Education            1317   ADF Education Development           -     2.529      -      2.529    22-Sep-94   28-Feb-95     31-Jul-00    31-Oct-00     18-Dec-00
                                Project
Finance              1380   ADF Third Cook Islands              -     2.104      -      2.104    26-Sep-95   22-Jan-96 22-Jan-00 31-Dec-01            19-Feb-02
                                Development Bank Project
Public Sector        1466   ADF Economic Restructuring          -     4.831      -      4.831    26-Sep-96   26-Sep-96 31-Dec-97 31-Dec-97            18-Mar-98
Management                      Program
Multisector          1588   ADF Cyclone Emergency               -     0.636      -      0.636    8-Dec-97    6-Jan-98      30-Jun-99 30-Jun-99        16-Jun-00
                                Rehabilitation Project
Water & Other        1832   ADF Waste Management Project        -     2.456      -      2.456    17-Jul-01   25-Oct-01 28-Feb-04 28-Feb-05            20-Sep-05
Municipal Infra. &
Svcs
Multisector          2174   ADF Cyclone Emergency               -     2.498      -      2.498    30-Jun-05   14-Jul-05     31-Oct-07    30-Jun-09     13-May-10
                                Assistance
Multisector          2565   OCR Economic Recovery            10.000     -      10.000     -      13-Oct-09   26-Mar-10 31-Mar-10 31-Mar-10            31-Mar-10
                                Support Program-
                                Subprogram 1
                                Total                        10.000   27.607   10.000   27.607

ADF = Asian Development Fund; OCR = Ordinary Capital Resources
Source: LFIS/GFIS
Table 6: Development Coordination Matrix

   Sectors and                                                               Other Development Partners’ Strategies and/or Main Activities
                         Current ADB Strategic Focus
     Themes                                                      Multilateral Institutions and the UN System                   Bilateral
Sector
Public Sector       Budget and technical support for policy        EU         Budget and technical support for        NZL      Budget and technical
Management          reforms linked to Public Financial                        policy reforms linked to Public                  support for policy reforms
                    Management Roadmap; Strengthening                         Financial Management Roadmap                     linked to Public Financial
                    public sector financial management;                                                                        Management Roadmap
                    Economic planning capacity Improving
                    the governance and performance of
                    SOEs
Transport           Avatiu Port rehabilitation, infrastructure      …         …                                       NZL      Reconstruction of harbors
                    services delivery                                                                                          on Mauke and Mitiaro to
                                                                                                                               reduce the risk of disaster
                                                                                                                               due to cyclones and other
                                                                                                                               extreme weather events.
                                                                                                                               Alternative port at
                                                                                                                               Arorangi.
Water               Improve access to water by all                 EU         Improve access to water by all        NZL, PRC   Improve access to water
                    communities, reliable and clean water                     communities, reliable and clean                  by all communities,
                    supply                                                    water supply; increase waste                     reliable and clean water
                                                                              water treatment and sewer                        supply; support for the
                                                                              collection capacity to control                   improvement of water
                                                                              lagoon pollution                                 quality in Muri lagoon in
                                                                                                                               Rarotonga,
Social Protection   Direct support to vulnerable groups             …         …                                     NZL, IND   Small grant funding with
                    (elderly, disabled)                                                                                        social protection project
                                                                                                                               criteria
Energy              Signed loan and grant arrangement to           EU         Signed Grant agreement                NZL, JPN   Current completing
                    complete Renewable Energy Program,                        Renewable Energy Program                         Northern Group
                    Southern Islands, Promoting energy                                                                         Renewable Energy
                    efficiency                                                                                                 Program.
                                                                                                                               Japan integrated into
                                                                                                                               Sothern Group solar panel
                                                                                                                               provision
Education                                …                       UNESCO       Bi-annual grants for related sector     NZL      Improvements in

                                                                                                                                                             Appendix 2
                                                                              projects (up to $25k per project)                educational quality at all
                                                                                                                               levels. Improvements in
                                                                                                                               teacher qualification up-
                                                                                                                               skilling.

                                                                                                                                                             19
20
   Sectors and                                                            Other Development Partners’ Strategies and/or Main Activities
                       Current ADB Strategic Focus
     Themes                                                   Multilateral Institutions and the UN System                   Bilateral

                                                                                                                                                         Appendix 2
Information and   Feasibility study on the submarine fiber      …            …                                   NZL        Draft New Zealand Aid
Communication     optic cable. Deregulation of the                                                                          Programme Strategic Plan
Technology        telecommunication industry.                                                                               2015/16–2018/19:
                                                                                                                            Potential programme
                                                                                                                            could include improving
                                                                                                                            affordable access to
                                                                                                                            telecommunications and
                                                                                                                            the internet; improving
                                                                                                                            regulation and
                                                                                                                            competition; and
                                                                                                                            maximizing associated
                                                                                                                            business and service
                                                                                                                            delivery opportunities
Industry and                         …                          EU         Regional integration and trade-        …         …
Trade                                                                      related issues including the
                                                                           implementation of the Economic
                                                                           Partnership Agreement

Themes
 Capacity         More responsive and cost-effective           UNDP        Build capacity at local               NZL        Provision of technical
 Development      scope, structure, and size of selected                   government level to effectively                  assistance fund. Training
                  public service sectors; Changes to the                   plan and manage resources                        in procurement,
                  Cook Islands outer islands administration                                                                 scholarship awards and
                  and effective public policy manual.                                                                       the procurement of capital
                  Building capacity in policy development,                                                                  equipment
                  economic analysis and projection.
Governance        Governance framework supporting               EU         Provision of advisory services     NZL, PRC,     Hosting of regional
                  infrastructure management and                            and technical studies. Systems       KOR         meetings. Provision of
                  development, Rigorous planning and                       improvement in MFEM.                             cars, Web tax lodgment
                  investment criteria for vetting                                                                           system, accounting
                  infrastructure proposals,                                                                                 software for Aid
                  Asset management, Institutional                                                                           management
                  adjustments and reforms for ensuring
                  sector sustainability
                  through regulatory reviews of tariff
                  regimes and private sector participation.
                  The Cook Islands have added
                  governance as its ninth MDGs.
Sectors and                                                                  Other Development Partners’ Strategies and/or Main Activities
                          Current ADB Strategic Focus
    Themes                                                         Multilateral Institutions and the UN System                   Bilateral
Environment                              ...                      EU, UNDP,       Climate change management             NZL      Assistance with the
Sustainability and                                               GEF, SPREP program; integration of both DRR                     reconstruction of public
Climate Change                                                                    and CCA in national, island and                infrastructure and housing
                                                                                  community policies, plans and                  on the island of Aitutaki
                                                                                  work programmes. Improve                       following Cyclone Pat in
                                                                                  coordination.                                  2010.
Private Sector       Strengthening policy environment,                …           …                                 …            …
Development          regulatory oversight and improving
                     infrastructure including water, ports and
                     the development of ICT

ADB = Asian Development Bank, EU = European Union, GEF = Global Environment Facility, ICT = Information and Communication Technology, IND =
Government of India, JPN = Government of Japan, KOR – Government of the Republic of Korea, NZL =Government of New Zealand, MDGs = Millennium
Development Goals, MFEM = Ministry of Finance and Economic Management, PRC – Peoples Republic of China, SOE = State Owned Enterprises, SPREP =
Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme, UNDP = United Nations Development Programme, UNESCAP = United Nations Economic and Social
Commission for Asian and the Pacific,
Source: Development partner websites and communications.

                                                                                                                                                              Appendix 2
                                                                                                                                                              21
22     Appendix 3

                     Sector Assessment: (I) Public Sector Management

I.     Sector Performance, Problems, and Opportunities

A.     Role of the State
1       The public sector accounts for a substantial portion of overall expenditure in the Cook
Islands, with government spending averaging around 32.5% of gross domestic product (GDP) in
the last five years. Public sector performance management is overseen by the public service
commissioner. The public sector is made up of 40 separate entities in the form of ministries,
constitutional agencies, outer island administration offices, crown agencies, and state owned
enterprises (SOE).

2     Public sector priorities are guided by Te Kaveinga Nui, the country vision document, and
the medium term guides to its implementation—the National Sustainable Development Plan
(NSDP 2011-2015). Five strategic outcomes are set forth:
   • Well educated, healthy and productive people and resilient communities;
   • A secure society built on law and order and good governance;
   • Sustainable economic growth in harmony with our social values, culture and
      environment;
   • Responsible and mature foreign relations with New Zealand and other regional and
      international communities in the interest of the people of the Cook Islands; and
   • Enhanced cultural and environmental values.

3       The state also plays a significant role in the Cook Islands economy through the provision
of infrastructure services. The Cook Islands Investment Corporation acts as the holding
company and ownership monitor for all of the SOEs, of which the Airport Authority, Port
Authority, Cook Islands Bank Limited, and the power utility are considered commercial in nature.
Through its subsidiary, the Cook Islands Government Property Corporation, it also holds the
government’s 40% shareholding in Cook Islands Telecom.

4      Constraints faced arise out of the decline in population facilitated by the ability of the
population to take up residency in New Zealand. The significant population loss (as high as
25%) experienced immediately following the public sector downsizing which was part of the
reforms of the late 1990s has left a mark and any current consideration of reforms is tempered
by consideration of the risk of further population loss. Limited capacity, across the whole
economy, is also an outcome of earlier reforms. Limiting the role of the state in development is
constrained in the case of outer island development where there are few private sector
opportunities and a constant struggle to halt population loss to Rarotonga.

B.     The Quality of Public Expenditure
5       The Cook Islands’ public financial management (PFM) system is largely a creation of the
reform process that the country undertook between 1996 and 1998 when government had
become insolvent as it was unable to meet its debt obligations as they fell due. It was during this
time that much of the legislation that is the foundation of the current PFM was developed
including, the Ministry of Finance and Economic Management Act (1995-96), Income Tax Act
(1997), Value Added Tax Act (1997), Public Expenditure Review Committee and Audit Act
(1995-96), Public Service Commission Act (1996) and the Cook Islands Investment Corporation
Act (1997-98).
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