SUVA, Fiji Islands (August 5, 2000 - ABC Australia News)---Fiji's Reserve Bank
says the economy is in sharp decline and is likely to shrink by 15
percent over the full year.
Releasing the Fiji Reserve Bank's first assessment of the economy since May,
Governor Savenaca Narube said at least 6,000 people had lost their
jobs and another 7,000 were working reduced hours.
Trade had declined and tourism fallen away to where occupancy rates were less
than 20 percent.
He said visitor arrivals in June were 60 percent down on last year, government
revenue would fall well short of target, and most new major
investment projects had been put on hold.
Mr. Narube said the only bright spot was sugar with the harvest well under
way.
He said the current conditions created a difficult environment for conducting
policy and he put the cost of the economy of the recent upheaval at
more than half a billion dollars.
This site is best viewed using Netscape 4.0 or higher.
Any problems or kind suggestions, please email: webmaster@lookinglassdesign.com
last revision 08/08/2000