Snippets: Aussies Warm to Fiji, Economy Downs But Some Ups, Tourism, New NGO

(o) Aussies Feel Warm Towards Fiji
Australian Parliamentary Secretary for Pacific Island Affairs, Duncan Kerr, is pleased a recent Lowry Institute survey showed Australians still feel warmly towards Fiji. Kerr said this showed they were able to distinguish between Fiji's people and its military-based government. Possibly. But the poll asked nothing about causes, and Australians who approve what the Fiji Government is attempting to do would also presumably feel warmly towards Fiji. Warm cuddles usually have little to do with politics, of any persuasion.


(-) Economy in "Terrible State"
Former USP and ANU Professor Ron Duncan's  report to the Lowry Institute says the Fiji "economy is in a terrible state." Sugar, bottled water and garment industries are all doing poorly, tourism is still not raking in the desired results in terms of revenue and remittances are down as a result of the global financial crisis. He is not sure the earlier Fiji Reserve Bank decision to devalue the Fiji dollar was a wise one.   Research led by Fiji Institute of Technology’s Commerce and Tourism Studies Dean Dr Mahendra Reddy  supports Duncan's general conclusions and states Government measures to cushion the economy have so far had little effect. Stop Press: Government will give $300,000 over 3 years to promote garments "Made in Fiji."

(o) The Causes of the "Terrible State" are Many:
A sugar industry for many years in desperate need of reform and funding; the garment collapse with the departure of "fly-by-night" Chinese manufacturers seeking duty-free exports to the US; the global financial crisis, and the withholding of much needed aid and loans from the EU, the Commonwealth, Australia and NZ as a result of the political situation. The political crisis is a contributing factor, but Fiji would have been in trouble, with or without the 2006 Coup. Indeed, signs of the downturn were evident well before 2006. 



One hopeful sign is Government's fiscal surplus for the 3rd quarter of 2009 -- $30.7m. when a deficit of $117.5m. had been expected.  The result deflects a significant decline in Government spending.  The suplus will probably be spent on planned infrastructure development.

(o+) Tourism Numbers Up, Rates and Yield Down
A slightly brighter picture is painted by travel watchdog e-travel Blackboard  that reported  53,994 visitors in August, only 6.3% short of the 2008 record-breaking number. But rates and yield are way down and no recovery is in sight.Slashing prices to increase tourist numbers may have been the wrong approach because hotels are now unable to demand previous prices. Nevertheless, the watchdog reports, "it is great to see Fiji beginning the long path to recovery and from being in Fiji, seeing Aussies, voting with their feet by visiting, with it clear that there are no security or safety issues in Fiji - just as usual."

(-) Freedom Down
Not surprisingly --given the one-sided sources used and the actual situation in Fiji-- the France-based Reporters Without Borders 2009 International Press Freedom Index shows Fiji has lost more ground than any other country. It has fallen 73 places to 152nd.


(+) Education for Needy
A newly formed NGO, The Foundation for the Education of Needy Children in Fiji is an idea born out of the Charter process. Government had provided US$106,000 seed money. The NGO, headed by John Samy, will be writing to individuals and business houses for support.

Photo: Jennifer Marahasy.com