Solomon Islands was particularly hard hit by the Asian financial crisis even before the ethnic violence of June 2000.

The Asian Development Bank estimates that the crash of the market for tropical timber reduced Solomon Island's GDP by between 15%-25%.

Exploitation of Solomon Islands' rich fisheries offers the best prospect for further export and domestic economic expansion.

A Japanese joint venture, Solomon Taiyo Ltd., which operated the only fish cannery in the country, closed in mid-2000 as a result of the ethnic disturbances.

Tourism is a potentially significant service industry but growth is hampered by the lack of infrastructure, transportation limitations and security concerns.

It is unable to meet bi-weekly payrolls and has become extraordinarily dependent on funds from foreign aid accounts, which provided an estimated 50% of government expenditure in 2001.

Agriculture - products: cocoa, coconuts, palm kernels, rice, potatoes, vegetables, fruit; cattle, pigs; fish; timber Exports: $216.5 million (2010 est.)

Imports - commodities: food, plant and equipment, manufactured goods, fuels, chemicals Imports - partners: Australia 27.3%, Singapore 26.4%, China 6.5%, Malaysia 5.1%, New Zealand 5.1% (2011) Debt - external: $166 million (2004) Currency: 1 Solomon Islands dollar (SI$) = 100 cents Exchange rates: Solomon Islands dollars (SI$) per US$1 – 7.833 (January 2017) Fiscal year: calendar year World portal