Umbago Is a Developing Island off the Coast of Africa

Umbago is a developing island off the coast of Africa. This small island has a population of 60,000 people and their GNP per capita is $1500. How can standard of living in Umbago be improved through economical growth? It is important that Umbago develop through promoting tourism and accepting the proposal of the US naval base under conditions that will strengthen economic prosperities that will only help the island. As such, Umbago will establish a position in United Nations as a recognized developing country. This in turn will help Umbago in developing socially and economically with global recognition.

Other areas that need to be reviewed are the health and education sectors of Umbago due to large disparities shown in the development statistics. The literacy for the total population is 68% of which 75% of it is men and 60% women. 60% of the population is below the poverty line and only 63% of the population has access to clean water. The education expenditure must go down because it spends 25% while the developed counties like USA only spend 5% of its GPD. The fertility rate (5.1) is far too high due to child mortality rate (95 deaths per 1000 live birth). The fertility rate must be reduced because in developed countries like UK the fertility rate is only 1.98.

It is the aim of the government to improve the socioeconomic standards of Umbago to a prosperous one through a ten year plan as detailed below.

1. Years

Umbago must accept USA’s proposal for naval base under conditions. Umbago recognize that as much as the island needs the US help or action, the USA needs the island for strategic military purpose. The first and foremost condition that US need to consider at all cost is that Umbago will accept anything American as long as the US government does not step into the sovereign rights of the island to rule itself.  Second condition is that US naval base must use resources available from Umbago both natural and human resources. Third and final condition is very stringent to the agreement between two states – that is, US must train Umbago naval soldiers, so Umbago navy will also grow strong. As such, not only the economy of Umbago will begin to flourish with cash flow where the foreign soldiers and their families will be spending income for their own lifestyle, this will also increase rates of employment and the GNP per capita.

3-4 Years

Infrastructure is a basic facility for the people that include building roads, buildings, malls, bridges, dams, schools and hospitals. In order to develop Umbago the infrastructure must be improved because it “impacts in personal and economical health” of the nation. As such, it is imperative to look closely at certain aspects our infrastructure.

Firstly, as an island nation of 60, 000 in population, the life expectancy in the country is 47.44 years which is very low compared to another developed island country like Japan that has 82.59 years. Japan has nationalized health coverage. It is the plan of Umbago as well to make it available to its citizens as well.  As such, it is important that Umbago concentrate upon building hospitals and medical schools to increase the life expectancy as well as decrease the infant mortality rate. In doing so, Umbago expects the birth rate to fall well below 3 children born per woman.

Secondly, Umbago will build public schools that allow increase in two ways: the literacy rate of total population and employment rates. Umbago will introduce free mandatory education till the age of 16 and 17 or Grade 10. The government will demand property tax of people of Umbago, services rendered through infrastructure, such as tolls for using the bridges, major government parking lots, sales tax, as well as yearly service tax for the roads to pay the teachers and administrations as government employees.