The industry itself is more optimistic of its medium term prospects than we have allowed in our forecast. In particular, we are encouraged by the industry’s performance so far this year. By September, both cane and sugar production has exceeded last year’s levels by almost 20 percent. This is one of the best performances recorded by the industry in the last 5 years.
Emerging industries On the emerging industries, the success of Fiji’s mineral water is now well known. New businesses are starting up in this industry. Mineral water exports will fetch some $ million in earnings this year and has moved up to be the 7th largest foreign exchange earner.