On international economic conditions, Mr. Whiteside said that the global recovery is expected to continue in 2011, led by favourable outturns in emerging and developing economies. However, possible threats to this outlook include inflationary pressures from higher food and oil prices, escalating debt levels in Europe and the ongoing civil unrest in the Middle East and North African regions. For our major trading partners, the devastating impact of the recent natural disasters in Australia, New Zealand and Japan have led to downward revisions to their 2011 growth rates.
Domestic economic outcomes were mixed in the review period. The Chairman highlighted that while consumption indicators registered some positive growth, the increase in VAT collections were largely attributed to the higher VAT rate, which rose from 12.5 to 15 percent in January. On investment, construction-based activity remained subdued. However, resource-related investments, particularly in the mining, fishing, forestry and mineral water industries, are expected to strengthen in the coming months. On the external sector, Mr. Whiteside stated that latest data revealed an improvement in the trade deficit by 18.4 percent, due to higher growth in exports relative to the expansion in imports.
Inflation rose further in February to 7.6 percent, mainly reflecting the impact of the increase in fuel and wheat product prices as well as the higher VAT rate. The year-end inflation projection for 2011 remains at 6.0 percent.
The Board Chairman added that the level of foreign reserves was $1,277 million on 31 March 2011, adequate to cover 3.8 months of imports of goods and non-factor services. Importantly, the Chairman noted that there are possible risks to the outlook for foreign reserves and inflation, including higher international crude oil and food prices. Furthermore, there may be a dampening in export demand and inbound tourist travel from our major trading partners Australia, New Zealand and Japan, following their reduced growth forecasts for 2011.
In light of the prevailing modest demand conditions in the economy while keeping in mind the possible risks to our monetary policy objectives, the Board decided to maintain the current monetary policy stance. In the meantime, the Reserve Bank will continue to assess the impact of any major changes in international and domestic economic developments and align monetary policy accordingly.
N0305. RESERVE BANK OF FIJI TRANSFERS $38.9 MILLION TO GOVERNMENT. The Reserve Bank transferred $38.9 million to Government today. This amount comprises the Bank’s entire profits of $21.5 million for the financial year ended 31 December 2010 and $17.4 million which represents one fifth of the balance of the Revaluation Reserve Account. The Board of the Reserve Bank decided not to set aside any profit to General Reserves but instead transfer the full amount to Government. The transfer to Government in 2010 for the 2009 financial year was $39.2 million (profit was $16.6 million and one-fifth of the Revaluation Reserve was $22.6 million).
The Acting Governor and Chairman of the Reserve Bank of Fiji Board, Mr. Barry Whiteside said that the Bank’s financial performance in 2010 was achieved in a challenging global environment as interest rates were still relatively low. The financial outcome in 2010 was significantly better than what was originally budgeted. This was due mainly to the higher than expected level of foreign reserves, which was $1.3 billion at the end of 2010 compared with $1.1 billion a year ago.
The audited accounts and operations report of the Bank for the 2010 fiscal year were submitted to the Minister for Finance on 31 March 2011, in accordance with the Reserve Bank of Fiji Act. The Board would like to thank the staff of the Bank for this achievement and also extends its appreciation to the Bank’s stakeholders and counterparts in assisting the Bank meet its objectives in 2010.
2 comments:
The audited accounts and opertions report submitted to Frank....and what exactly would he do with them ? Unless he has a wobbly chair or table that would pretty much be a waste of time and effort.
Another nothing statement. I remember when we used to actually get some real information and views from the RBF. But post abrigation of the constitution we got Sada singing the governments praise (until he self imploded) and now the likeable Barry giving us nothing.
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