The SCBs share in the total bank advances has been 93.2, 94.0 and 94.4 per cent in the year 2006, 2007 and 2008 as compared to UCBs 4.4, 3.8 and 3.4 per cent in the corresponding period, again displaying a downward trend.
Improved disposable household incomes from lower taxes, government financial support and remittance inflows from Fijians abroad continue to underpin consumer spending. The vehicle industry has clearly benefitted under this climate and this has been further supported by favourable labour market conditions, as reflected in growing numbers of newly registered members with the Fiji National Provident Fund and job advertisements placed in the daily newspapers.