Capital city: Palikir
Languages: English (official)
Population: Over 112,000
Area: 700 Sq km
GDP per capita: 2,782 in 2011
GDP current US$: 0 in 2011
Ease of Business Ranking: 150 in 2013
Micronesia is located in the northwestern part of the Pacific Ocean, near the Philippines. It consists of some 600 islands grouped into four states: Kosrae, Pohnpei, Chuuk (Truk) and Yap.
The Federated States of Micronesia remains a close association with the US under the Compact Free Association, which was renewed for 20 years (2004-2023). Under this, Washington took on responsible for defense and gained the right to set up military bases and deny other nation’s access to Micronesia. Micronesia in return received financial assistance from the US.
Foreigners are allowed only to lease land in the country. But securing rights to lease is difficult because land tenure or land laws differ among the four states, not to mention that land is customary or group owned, usually by families or clans. So an investor who wishes to lease land has to get the approval of the “owners” of a land, that is, the consensus of families, clans and traditional leaders.