Economy overview: Fiji, rich in forest, mineral and fish resources, is one of the most economically developed countries in Oceania, although it still retains a large subsistence sector. Sugar exports and a growing tourism industry are major sources of foreign exchange. Sugar production accounts for one third of total industrial production. Approximately 300,000 tourists visit Fiji every year, including thousands of Americans after the establishment of regular non-stop air links with Los Angeles. Economic growth slowed in 1997 as the sugar industry was hit by declining world prices and disputes between landowners and farmers over rents. The drought in 1998 aggravated the situation in the sugar industry, but the recovery of the sugar industry in 1999 contributed significantly to GDP growth. The long-term problems are low investment and uncertainty about property rights. Political unrest in Fiji had a negative impact on the economy, which in 1999 experienced an 8% drop and more than 7,000 people lost their jobs. The provisional government’s 2001 budget is betting on attracting foreign investment and restoring economic activity. The government’s ability to meet the budget and achieve 4% growth in 2001 will depend on the return of political stability, the restoration of investor confidence and the lifting of international sanctions (which hurt Fiji’s sugar and textile industries). See cheeroutdoor.com to know more about Fiji Business. GDP: Purchasing Power Parity $5.9 billion (1999 est.) Real GDP growth rate: -8% (1999 est.). GDP per capita: Purchasing Power Parity $7,300 (1999 est.) The composition of GDP by sectors of the economy: agriculture: 16%; industry: 30%; services: 54% (1999 est.). Proportion of the population below the poverty line: no data available. Percentage distribution of household income or consumption: for the poorest 10% of households: n/a; by top 10% of households: no data. Inflation rate at consumer prices: 0% (1999 est.). Labor force: 235,000 people Employment structure: employed in subsistence agriculture 67%, workers 18%, employees 15% (1987). Unemployment rate: 6% (1997 est.). Budget: revenues: $610 million; expenditures: $501 million, including capital expenditures – NA (1999 est.). Spheres of economy: tourism, production of sugar, clothing, harvesting of copra, mining of gold, silver, timber harvesting, small cottage construction. Growth in industrial production: 2.9% (1995). Electricity generation: 510 million kWh (1999). Sources of electricity generation: fossil fuels: 17.65%; hydropower: 82.35%; nuclear fuel: 0%; others: 0% (1999). Electricity consumption: 474.3 million kWh (1999) Electricity export: 0 kWh (1999). Electricity import: 0 kWh (1999). Agricultural products: sugarcane, coconuts, cassava (tapioca), rice, sweet potatoes, bananas; cattle, pigs, horses, goats; fish. Export: $537 million (free on board, 1999) Exports: sugar, clothing, gold, timber, fish. Export partners: Australia 33.1%, US 14.8%, UK 13.8%, other Pacific Islands 8.8%, New Zealand 4.5%, Japan 4.5% (1999). Imports: $653 million (free on board, 1999) Imports: machinery and transport equipment, petroleum products, foodstuffs, chemicals. Import partners: Australia 41.9%, US 14%, New Zealand 13.3%, Japan 4.8%, Taiwan 1.9% (1999). External debt: $193 million (1998) Economic aid recipient: $40.3 million (1995) Economic aid donor: Currency: Fijian dollar. Currency code: FJD. Exchange rate: FJD/USD 2.1814 (January 2001), 2.1286 (2000), 1.9696 (1999), 1.9868 (1998), 1.4437 (1997), 1.4033 (1996). Fiscal year: calendar year.
Telecommunications
Telecommunications Telephone lines: 72,000 (1997). Mobile Cell Phones: 5,200 (1997). Telephone system: modern local, inter-island and international (integrated cable and radio) public and special telephone, telegraph and teletype communications; regional radio communication center; internal: no data; international: access to an important cable communication system between the US and Canada on the one hand and New Zealand and Australia on the other; ground satellite station – 1 Intel-sat (Pacific Ocean). Broadcast stations: AM – 13, FM – 40, shortwave – 0 (1998). Radio receivers: 500,000 (1997). Television broadcast stations: no data. TVs: 21,000 (1997). Internet country code: fj Internet service providers: 2 (2000). Number of users: 7,500 (2000).
Transport
Transport Railways: total: 597 km; note – owned by the Fiji State Sugar Corporation; narrow gauge: 597 km (0.610 meter gauge) (1995). Roads: total: 3,440 km; coated: 1,692 km; unpaved: 1,748 km (1996 est.). Waterways: 203 km; note – 122 km are navigable for small motorized vessels and 200-ton barges. Pipelines: Ports and harbours: Lambasa, Lautoka, Levuka, Savusavu, Suva. Merchant navy: in total: 6 vessels (displacement 1,000 tons or more) with a total displacement of 11,870 gross register tons / 14,787 long tons of gross tonnage; ships of different types: chemical tankers – 2, passenger ships – 1, oil tankers – 1, ferries for the transport of loaded vehicles – specialized tankers – 1 (1999 est.). Airports: 27 (2000 est.). Airports with paved runways: total: 3; over 3,047 m: 1; from 1524 to 2437 m:1; from 914 to 1523 m: 1 (2000 est.). Airports with unpaved runways: total: 24; from 1,524 to 2,437 m;1; from 914 to 1523 m:4; less than 914 m: 19 (2000 est.).
Armed Forces
Branches of the armed forces: the armed forces of the Republic of Fiji (includes land and sea forces). Enlistment age: 18 years old. Total Military Manpower: Male 15 to 49: 227,599 (2001 est.). Eligible for military service: males aged 15 to 49: 125,238 (2001 est.). Number of persons reaching military age each year: male: 9,471 (2001 est.). Military spending in dollar terms: $24 million (1998) Military spending as part of GDP: 1.1% (1998).
