Copper Has It Over Radios
p. 75 · Read in the full issue
Japan has an adverse trade balance with the Pacific Islands. This may seem odd because of the huge exports of appliances and vehicles from Japan to the Pacific Islands. Nickel from New Caledonia and copper from Bougain ville are the chief factors in the adverse balance. As Bougainville exports more copper to Japan there will be an even greater difference in the value between exports and imports. The balance swung the way of the Pacific Islands in 1972.
The composition of exports in 1972, was: Foodstuffs, 14.1 per cent; light industry products, 16.6 per cent; chemical and heavy industry products, 66.5 per cent (includes automobiles, but excludes components). Canned mackerel, radio receivers and tape recorders followed automobiles.
Imports in 1972 included: nickel ore, from New Caledonia, $56.7 million (down 45.7 per cent on 1972); timber, $14.1 million (down 8.8 per cent); copper ore from Bougainville, $49.6 million. Imports of copra and phosphate ore were below the levels of 1971.
Statistics of Japan’s trade with various Pacific Islands in 1971 and 1972, with the value shown in US dollars, are:
Exports Imports S’000 $’000 1971 1972 1971 1972 Papua New Guinea . 39,924 37,689 17,117 66,095 Western Samoa 2,019 2,302 131 261 New Hebrides 2,726 3,132 2,389 1,599 Fiji 19,511 25,309 2,088 2,815 Solomon Islands 2,240 1,460 7,202 5,680 Nauru 286 131 4,818 2,547 New Caledonia 3,808 3,405 105,478 58,468 French Polynesia 1,870 3,772 12 53 Guam . 29,171 38,735 2,937 1,794 American Samoa 5,311 6,521 408 275 Marianas, Marshalls, Carolines . . 10,078 11,632 931 678