d Front, Fijian, Ratu Osea Gavidi; Fiji Labor Party,
Adi Kuini Bavadra; coalition of the National Federation Party
and the Fiji Labor Party, Adi Kuini Vuikaba Bavadra

Suffrage: none

Elections: none

Communists: some

Member of: ACP, ADB, Colombo Plan, EC (associate), ESCAP, FAO, G-77,
GATT (de facto), IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT,
INTERPOL, ISO, ITU, SPF, UN, UNESCO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO

Diplomatic representation: Counselor (Commercial), Vice Consul, Charge
d'Affaires ad interim Abdul H. YUSUF; Chancery at Suite 240, 2233 Wisconsin
Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007; telephone (202) 337-8320; there is a
Fijian Consulate in New York;
US--Ambassador Leonard ROCHWARGER; Embassy at 31 Loftus Street, Suva
(mailing address is P. O. Box 218, Suva); telephone p679o 314-466 or 314-069

Flag: light blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant
and the Fijian shield centered on the outer half of the flag; the shield depicts
a yellow lion above a white field quartered by the cross of St. George featuring
stalks of sugarcane, a palm tree, bananas, and a white dove

- Economy
Overview: Fiji's economy is primarily agricultural, with a large
subsistence sector. Sugar exports are a major source of foreign exchange
and sugar processing accounts for one-third of industrial output.
Industry, including sugar milling, contributes 10% to GDP. Fiji
traditionally earned considerable sums of hard currency from the 250,000
tourists who visited each year. In 1987, however, after two military
coups, the economy went into decline. GDP dropped by 7.8% in
1987 and by another 2.5% in 1988; political uncertainly created a drop in
tourism, and the worst drought of the century caused sugar production
to fall sharply. In contrast, sugar and tourism turned in strong
performances in 1989, and the economy rebounded vigorously.

GDP: $1.32 billion, per capita $1,750; real growth rate 12.5%
(1989 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices): 11.8% (1988)

Unemployment rate: 11% (1988)

Budget: revenues $260 million; expenditures $233 million,
including capital expenditures of $47 million (1988)

Exports: $312 million (f.o.b., 1988);
commodities--sugar 49%, copra, processed fish, lumber;
partners--UK 45%, Australia 21%, US 4.7%

Imports: $454 million (c.i.f., 1988);
commodities--food 15%, petroleum products, machinery, consumer goods;
partners--US 4.8%, NZ, Australia, Japan

External debt: $398 million (