FALKLAND ISLANDS: FUTURE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
On 8 December 1982, the Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary outlined the Government's response to the Falkland Islands Economic Survey, 1982 carried out by Lord Shackleton and his team. He announced that the British Government would make available up to £31m for the future development of the Islands.
2. At present, priority continues to be given in both Port Stanley and London to the rehabilitation effort. However, first steps are now in hand on some of the proposals covered in Lord Shackleton's revised report.
Development Agency
3. The Falkland Islands Government is giving thought to the legislation required to establish the Falkland Islands Development Corporation. A Development Officer, who will eventually be on the staff of the corporation, took up his appointment in Port Stanley in November 1982.
Fisheries
4. The Development Officer is in touch with commercial fishing companies. There are prospects of experimental offshore fishing financed wholly from commercial sources. There are also several companies ready to explore inshore fisheries potential with financial support from the Falkland Islands Government.
5. The ODA is currently making arrangements to recruit a Fisheries Officer for the Falkland Islands Government as well as observers to safeguard FIG's interests in the experimental offshore fishing venture which is expected to be agreed shortly.
6. A small team of consultants recently returned to the UK and its report on the feasibility of a three year pilot scheme on salmon ranching is awaited. The European Investment Bank provided the finance for this feasibility study.
Infrastructure
7. British consultants have been invited to submit proposals to the CDA for a feasibility study of improved harbour facilities in Port Stanley, with special reference to the specification for a new jetty. Consultants have also been approached for studies relating to the water and power needs of the Islands to the year 2000. The ODA has kept MOD closely informed of developments on these fronts, including agreement of the various sets of Terms of Reference.
8. The CDA is currently providing up to £2.5m for rehabilitation of the roads in Port Stanley. The MOD is providing up to £3m for similar work to ne under- taken on the road from Stanley to the airport. 90% of the damage suffered by these roads has been caused by heavy military vehicles since the cessation of hostilities, The ODA and MOD are discussing the attribution of final coata for this work.
9.
Future road plans outside Stanley cannot be settled until a decision is made on the site for an improved airfield, since one potential site could have implications for the incomplete Stanley-Darwin road.
/Agriculture
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