For 2001 we have adopted a more expansionary approach with a projected deficit at a manageable level of four per cent. This, however, is conditional on certain asset sales. Without these, it might rise to six per cent, which is too high to be sustained for very long. It would need to be reduced fairly quickly. We expect total export sales for Fiji this year of over one billion dollars.
Reserves are always a crucial indicator of any country's economic condition.
When reserves run out, a country is technically bankrupt. Price rises are now flattening out. At the start of 2001, the inflation rate was at 5.6 per cent. By the end of the year it is likely to be between four and five per cent. Tourism and garment manufacturing were hit hard by last year's upheaval and workers from these industries are among the worst affected.