Fiji
p. 32 · Read in the full issue
Emigrant numbers still high
NUMBERS of people leaving Fiji have
continued to rise over the last two years.
The annual rate of emigration went up 7.8 per cent in 1988. There was a furth er increase of 1.5 per cent in the first nine months of 1989, to 4153 for the period ended September 30. The emigration of teachers leaving the coun try also rose markedly in the first nine months of last year.
Airline eyes new planes FIJI Air is planning to upgrade its fleet with the acquisition of a 24-seat Casa turbo-prop aircraft, and will sell the two long-serving 16-seat herons. The Casa will be employed flying out of Nausori on internal routes to Labasa and Rotu ma, as well as its one international ser vice to Funafuti in Tuvalu.
Trade deficit grows Fiji’s visible trade deficit jumped by 45 per cent to F$ 150.6 million (US$9B.4 million) in the first quarter of 1990. Tot al exports fetched F$ 113.4 million, with imports running at F 5264 million. The main destinations for Fijian exports were Australia (F 527.5 million), Britain (F 520.4 million) and New Zealand (F 519.4 million).