Fiji recorded a surplus of $1475.8 million in its value of trade in services in 2016 — an increase of $25.9m (1.8 percent) from the previous surplus of $1449.9m recorded in 2015.
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This was highlighted by the Fiji Bureau of Statistics in its Annual International Trade in Services statistics released earlier this week.
Fiji's International Trade in Services statistics provides information on the value of import and export of services between Fiji and the rest of the world.
The statistics showed that Fiji's estimated total export of services in 2016 was $2681.5m, which was an increase of $41.1m (1.6 percent) when compared with a year earlier.
Estimated total import of services in 2016 was $1205.7m, an increase of $15.2m (1.3percent) when compared with a year earlier.
Several services recorded significant surpluses in 2016.
The travel service recorded a surplus of $1348.1m but was a decrease of $33.7m when compared with 2015 which reflected lower earnings from tourism.
This, the bureau stated, was because of a decrease in the length of stay of tourists.
Government services also recorded a surplus of $150.7m, an increase of $27.7m when compared with 2015 resulting from an increase in funds received by international agencies based in Fiji.
Transportation services pegged a surplus of $71.7m, an increase of $4.9m when compared with 2015 mainly driven by higher receipts of international air passenger.
A surplus of $234.m was also recorded in construction services which was an increase of $10.9m when compared with 2015 reflecting higher receipts for construction works provided abroad.
However, several services also recorded notable deficits in 2016 which included insurance services which pegged a deficit of $1.5m.
This, the bureau stated, was a decrease in deficit of $1.5m when compared with 2015 because of insurance paid on imported goods to cover for the damage or complete loss of freight.
Other business services recorded a deficit of $72.m which represented an increase in deficit of $1.5m when compared with 2015 reflecting payments for professional and management consultation services.
The Fiji Commerce and Employers Federation (FCEF) has called for caution and restraint when dealing with significant increases in the national minimum wage.
FCEF CEO Nesbitt Hazelman made the comments after calls from the National Federation Party and the Fiji Labour Party to increase the minimum wage to $5 and hour and $3.50 and hour respectively.
The current minimum wage is $2.68/hour.
Hazelman said an excessive minimum wage increase could reduce employment opportunities, particularly among youths who are first time job seekers as well as small, micro and SME businesses who were not in positions to pay or sustain major wage increases. ■