Fiji’s inward remittances totalled $48.5million in the year to April this year.
The Reserve Bank of Fiji (RBF) said majority of the funds were received via the mobile money channel, it reported in its May Economic Review.
It reported that outward remittances totalled $174.2m, growing by 13.3 per cent mainly from outflows by emigrants and non-residents to meet commitments in their home country.
Meanwhile, Fiji’s merchandise trade deficit widened by 4.5 per cent year-on-year to $693.0m, cumulative to February 2025, driven by an increase of $114.1m (11.2 per cent) in imports to $1,135.9m, which surpassed the growth in exports of $84.3m to $442.9m in the same period.
The RBF said the growth in imports was mostly led by higher imports for road vehicles and mineral fuels, boosted by higher volumes amid falling global oil prices.
“In addition, growth in exports was mainly driven by higher contributions from re-exports of mineral fuel, mineral water and kava,” the RBF stated.
“The trade deficit continues to be partly funded by inward remittances and tourism earnings.”
The RBF said tourism earnings reached a new high last year, totalling $2,536.8m, with a modest growth of 1.9 per cent compared to 46.3 per cent in the same period last year.
“This deceleration was primarily attributed to a shorter average length of stay, even as visitors’ average daily spending increased.”
Inward remittances in the year to March this year totalled $342.7m, and it exceeded outward remittances of $139.6m, with net remittances growing to $203.1m.
