EXPORT PAYMENT ARRANGEMENT, RELATED FISCAL CHARGES ON EXPORTS, AND EXPORT PROCEDURES

In accordance with the Reserve Bank of Fiji export incentive scheme, the trading banks of Fiji offer concessional rates of interest to eligible exports. Approved borrowers may obtain pre-shipment or post-shipment financing or both and also utilise forward exchange cover facilities.

Conditions of Eligibility

Qualified exporters are those who produce or manufacture for export to any destination except, producers of traditional exports, provided they satisfy value added rules. All exporters, irrespective of whether one is a producer-exporter or not, qualify for post-shipment finance facility. Traditional Exports comprise of sugar, molasses, gold, coconut oil, timber, garments, textiles, processed fish and tuna fish.
All non-traditional exports under SPARTECA and MSG agreements qualify.

Financing Facilities
Pre-shipment Finance
This financing covers the period required to bring the products to an exportable stage - to manufacture, process or purchase merchandise and commodities for exports. Pre-shipment finance is available in two forms, one for exports based on pre-arranged contracts and secondly for exports originating from stock.

Post-shipment Finance
This covers the period from shipment or despatch of goods to receipt of payment by the exporter.

Forward Exchange Cover
Under this an exporter may arrange to forward cover against any adverse movement in relative exchange value. It is a form of insurance against a loss that might occur through a subsequent change in exchange rates.

International Trade Centre (ITC)/Market Access Map Accessibility

ITC has developed three (3) web portals namely the Trade Map. Market Access Map and the Investment Map and has allowed users free access to the database.  Data contained in the database is quite comprehensive and useful for any exporter to facilitate strategic research into market access issues, revealing competitive advantage, identifying the potential for market or product diversification, prioritising trade development programmes & preparing trade negotiation bargaining positions.  The three web-based portals can be accessed at the following links:

1. Trade Map - http://beta.trademap.net : a web portal containing international trade statistics for over 220 countries and territories from over 5300 products of the Harmonized System, and up to 30,000 products at national tariff line level.
2. Market Access Map - http://www.macmap.org : a web portal containing information on market access measures, trade agreements and rules of origin.
3. Investment Map - http://www.investmentmap.org : an online portal combining statistics on FDI, international trade, market access, and information on foreign affiliates.

These web portals are accessible via a username and password and users will be prompted for registration prior to accessing the portals. Username and passwords will be renewed annually and these will be available to users upon registration which is free.