$6.8 million in 1982 to an estimated $1.0 million at the end of fiscal year 1984/85. It had done so by increasing certain taxes and duties; improving the collection of public utility charges; exercising tight control over the growth of recurrent expenditures; and introducing a computerized system of financial management. 111. The Special Adviser stated that the Marshall Islands had begun construction of a fishing base at Majuro with assistance from Japan. Two more air strips had been completed in 1984, enabling all but one of the 24 atolls to have air service, and Ebeye had been linked by telephone to a satellite communications system. A considerable debt had been incurred to finance those projects, but they were considered essential to the development of the Marshall Islands and all debt payments were being made on schedule. 112. Private sector activity had increased with the opening of a shopping centre and several restaurants, expansion of existinq retail concerns and construction of a shell button factory by Japanese and Marshallese investors, Although the long drought of 1983 had drastically hampered copra production , a rise in copra prices had generated sufficient profits to enable the copra processing plant to repay its debt and provide drought relief assistance to the people in the outer islands. The Government had also distributed food to those afflicted by the drought and replanted subsistence crops. 113. The Special Adviser said that a survey of sea-bed resources and a feasibility study on fisheries development had been conducted during the period Under review. The Government had renewed its agreement allowing Japan to fish in the exclusive economic zone. 114. The Government had nearly completed construction of a new hospital and renovation of the Ebeye Hospital. It had formulated a plan to improve the standard of kedical care in the outer islands and had requested $700,000 from the 
**Analysis**
The text appears to be a report on the economic development and progress of the Marshall Islands. It discusses the government's efforts to improve its finances, infrastructure, and services, as well as its natural resources and international relationships. The text also touches on the impact of a severe drought on the agriculture sector.

**Category**
Economic development, Agriculture, forestry and fishing, Industry, Health