SUVA, May 5 (Xinhua) -- The Reserve Bank of Fiji (RBF), or Fiji's central bank, has said in its latest review that the country's economic outlook is facing downside risks, primarily from external factors including policy uncertainty, trade tensions, and a slowing global economy.
On a more positive note, the RBF said that falling import prices, particularly fuel, could offer some relief amid global trade disruptions.
Domestically, concerns are rising over a decline in visitor arrivals.
In the first quarter this year, total arrivals fell by 5.3 percent over the year to 180,119 visitors.
The RBF said the fall was driven mainly by a decrease in tourists from key markets such as Australia and New Zealand, which offset gains from Pacific Island countries and the United States.
Reflecting these trends, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has revised Fiji's economic growth forecast for this year from an initial 3.4 percent to 3.0 percent, and then further to 2.6 percent recently.
The economic slowdown is expected to persist into 2026, the IMF said. ■