Gross Domestic
Products: US $5.17 billion.
The Main imports:
Manufactured goods, petroleum, machinery and transport equipment,
foodstuff and chemicals.
The Main exports: Sugar, fish, gold, garments, timber,
molasses and cocoa oil.
The Main trade partners:
New Zealand, Australia, Singapore, United States of America, United
Kingdom, Samoa and Japan.
Economy
The Fijian economy has an ample subsistence agricultural
economy as well as producing cash crops, of which sugar is the most
important. In 2002, the Government began a wholesale reorganisation
of the state owned sugar monopoly, which was close to disintegrate
through years of inefficiency and the state of the world sugar market.
Fish and timber, especially
mahogany (of which Fiji is the world’s 2nd largest producer)
are also vital export earners. The industrial sector develops low
grade copper deposits. There are also numerous light industrial
enterprises producing goods such as flour, furniture, paint, cement,
cigarettes, biscuits, nails, barbed wire, matches and footwear,
mainly for domestic consumption.
Tourism
is the main service industry, and was severely affected by recent
political upheavals, although visitors are steadily returning. Foreign
trade and investment have both declined, while several ethnic Indian
members of the business community have left the country. Gross Domestic
Products growth in 2002 was 4.8 %. More recently, closer economic
relations have been forged with other Asian countries, including
China, Korea (Republic) and Taiwan.
Business
Lightweight or tropical suits are acceptable for business in Fiji.
General office hours are Monday to Friday
8.30 am to 4.30 pm / 5.00 pm (some offices close 1 hour earlier
on Fridays).
Commercial Information
Suva Chamber of Commerce
Address: PO Box 337, Suva, Fiji
Telephone: 338 0975. |
