THE Fiji dollar strengthened against the Yen (1.3 per cent), Euro (1.0 per cent) and New Zealand dollar (NZD) (0.3 per cent) but weakened against the Australian dollar (AUD) (-0.5 per cent ) and the US dollar (USD) (-0.1 per cent).
In its economic review for the month ending October this year, the Reserve Bank of Fiji stated that annually, the Fijian dollar appreciated against the AUD (3.1 per cent) and the Euro (0.02 per cent) but weakened against the Yen (-3.8 per cent), the USD (-1.6 per cent) and the NZD (-0.2 per cent).
Meanwhile, the central bank also highlighted that for the external sector, cumulative to August, total exports (excluding aircraft) rose by 4.5 per cent underpinned by higher domestic exports of mineral water, sugar, mahogany, kava, garments and machinery and transport equipment while re-exports declined.
It was also highlighted that in the same period, imports (excluding aircraft) declined by 5.6 per cent attributed to lower imports of chemicals, machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, food and live animals, animal and vegetable oils and fats, and crude materials while the merchandise trade deficit (excluding aircraft) narrowed by 11.6 per cent compared with a 23.1 per cent widening in the corresponding period in 2018.
