6 Nov 2014

Fiji incurs US$36m in foreign exchange losses

11:45 am on 6 November 2014

Fiji's Finance Ministry incurred tens of millions of dollars in foreign exchanges losses last year.

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The Fiji Times reports the Auditor General's report for 2013 shows a loss of more than US$36,244,010.51 in its review of the country's loans.

The paper reports the audit noted these foreign exchange losses were incurred because of fluctuations in exchange rates.

The Auditor-General's report said the findings indicated ministry officials failed to avoid foreign exchange losses by discussing hedging exposure with the overseas lenders.

The Fiji Times reports the Finance Ministry as saying a number of foreign risk mitigation measures are being assessed.

The Auditor General's reports of the last seven years were submitted to parliament last month, the first time the annual audits of the country's finances were made available for public scrutiny since the 2006 coup.