Opportunities

Council encourages sustainable investment and development of North Tarawa for the well-being of its communities.

Those wishing to commence business ventures and trade on North Tarawa are encouraged to discuss opportunities with the Council.

Business Investment Laws

While foreign investment is, in principle, equally supported and encouraged by the Council, potential foreign investors are also reminded of Kiribati’s foreign investment rules contained in its Foreign Investment Act 2018 and are encouraged to also discuss opportunities and proposals with relevant GoK ministries. Council can assist in helping to arrange appropriate meetings with its elected councillors and government ministries if required.

Land tenure

Land tenure laws in Kiribati (as in many Pacific Island nations) are strictly regulated in terms of ownership. Foreign interests may only lease land in Kiribati for terms defined under its Foreign Investment laws. Prescribed lease terms may be varied by the Government of Kiribati and potential investors are encouraged to discuss opportunities and proposals with relevant government departments. The Council can assist you in managing meeting requirements.

Retail

North Tarawa is presently serviced by a number of small local shops which provide general goods to villagers. Larger goods must generally be obtained from South Tarawa/Betio. Facilities that offer a broader range of goods may limit the need for visits to South Tarawa/Betio and encourage enhanced local consumption of goods as well as enhance viability of other business opportunities on North Tarawa.

Investment

Look at Portal
Trade and skilled vocations (including transport industries)
Professional workers – health services, teaching, administrative services
Construction (including civil construction and maintenance services)
Mechanical maintenance services
Agriculture – crop production and processing (notably for coconuts and copra)
Tourism – accommodation services, charter and transfer services (other than ferry), tours, handicrafts and cultural experiences (traditional greetings/feasts and dance)

Strategic Residential Development

South Tarawa and Betio are recognised as representing some of the densest populated locations in the World with significant infrastructure constraints. As the region grows, North Tarawa (notably land in the southern islets) represents a possible opportunity for planned urban residential expansion with concurrent sustainable infrastructure provision. Such development would be subject to appropriate planning, consultation with landowners and residents and investment – all of which have potential to significantly add to North Tarawa’s and Kiribati’s economy.

Valuing Value-add

North Tarawa and the Council encourage the establishment of ‘value-add’ businesses on the island to add value to its fishery, including through aquaculture ventures, and agricultural products through processing as well as manufacturing and service-based businesses that can bring additional financial, IT and other professional services to North Tarawa.

Opportunities exist to establish new businesses within a number of our villages as well as having scope for other small-scale ‘start-up’ businesses supported from homes. Abaokoro is the main administrative centre for North Tarawa with scope for the establishment of synergies with other service industry businesses.

Construction

As development demand increases across North Tarawa, there is a need for increased civil and other construction services to the region. Presently, all works and materials are sourced from off the islands on a project basis resulting in significant added costs and sometimes abandoned machinery. There is a need for all building materials on North Tarawa to make development more viable including: building timber steel and cement products (e.g. bagged cement and concrete blocks).

Small scale construction services situated on North Tarawa have the potential to provide timelier and cost-effective services as well as benefit from local employees and help support other businesses.

North Tarawa presently has one hardware store which is able to provide some building materials and has potential for ready expansion if building and construction services grow on North Tarawa.

Agriculture and Aquaculture

North Tarawa already is a significant copra producing region for Kiribati with potential to further expand coconut groves in conjunction with local landowners. Scope also exists for further streamlining of processing activities to gain economies of scale in copra production and increased returns on investment and time for growers.

Traditional aquaculture in simple ponds also provides an existing significant supply of milkfish to the people of North Tarawa and South Tarawa/Betio with growing demand. Scope exists for improved and expanded pond-based aquaculture processes for milkfish and other species as well as lagoon-based shellfish aquaculture for local and export markets.

Mechanical Maintenance Services

North Tarawa presently has limited mechanical maintenance services. Scope exists for improved services over time as the need for and use of heavier /machinery grows.

Tourism

Low-key, quality, sustainable tourism development represents a key opportunity for North Tarawa that can be compatible with the authentic traditional cultural and spectacular landscape experiences that the islands offer. North Tarawa has opportunity to build on its existing tourist accommodation base in terms of expanding and upgrading accommodation and associated service facilities. Few services are available and new development should seek to achieve an “off-grid”, self-sufficiency approach that includes its own power, sustainable water (including potable water) and sanitation services.

Scope exists for the development of improved star-rated accommodation, provision of guided tours and charters for local sightseeing and water-based activities (e.g. snorkelling, SCUBA and beachcombing) as well as integration with other tourist destinations and associated accommodation across Kiribati.

North Tarawa also has a recognised shortage of suitable passenger transfer services between accommodation facilities and Bonriki International Airport, the Betio Port and South Tarawa business districts.

New developments can also become part of the “Mauri Way” through accreditation with the Kiribati Tourism Authority.

Council undertakes to work closely with any intending Kiribati or international investors who may wish to pursue sustainable tourism development of North Tarawa and its many natural and cultural attractions and encourages initial contact with its Council Clerk or Island Development Officer to discuss opportunities.

Strategic Community Projects

While not necessarily representing direct business opportunities, North Tarawa has a number of strategic project opportunities that would benefit from external investment and which have the potential to significantly enhance local business activity and economic growth. These include:

Upgraded lagoon access channel for Abaokoro
Village-based potable and general water supply systems
Village-based sanitation systems
Road and causeway improvements

The above projects represent additional ways by which potential businesses may be able to contribute to North Tarawa’s growth needs while also ensuring significant potential for additional economic growth.