Overseas Exchange Transactions for January 2019

Fewer receipts during the month lowered the overall OET surplus

Overall Balance & Foreign Reserve

The overall OET balance dropped significantly due to lower receipts at the beginning of the year compared to a very strong and eventful month of December. This trend is observed in January of each year where economic activities slows so does receipts from overseas. However, the foreign reserves rose slightly in January as a result of an increase in inflow from foreign exchange deals with commercial banks. This led foreign reserves to another record high of $478.9 million equivalent to 8.2 months of imports cover.

In year ended terms, the overall OET surplus balance increased by $11.6 million to $54.9 million. This was attributed mainly to higher transfer and income receipts as well as other investment receipts coinciding also with the yearly rise in the official foreign reserves level.

The Reserve Bank continues to expect that the level of foreign reserves will remain at comfortable levels and above the 3 months minimum range of imports cover. This is supported by expected higher receipts of remittances and foreign aid. However, possible delays to the inflow of aid and budget support from development partners combined with the pace of development in the domestic economic activities, may pose a risk to the foreign reserves outlook. Global uncertainties in oil and commodities prices coupled with Tonga’s vulnerability to natural disasters are also risks to the expectations above.

Current Account

Receipts in the current account declined more in comparison to the fall in payments which led to a deficit in the net current account for the month of January 2019. The merchandise trade deficit widened and lower surpluses were recorded in the services, income and transfers accounts. The total current account receipts declined by 27.1% as receipts in all categories fell from the high level of receipts recorded last month. Export receipts declined by $1.7 million attributed to lower receipts from agriculture, marine and other exports. Lower services receipts were due to a fall in travel receipts, government services and other private services such as construction and telecommunication services. These outweighed a rise in transport-related services and insurance funds received. Official and private transfers declined by $5.1 million and $7.4 million respectively. Official receipts declined mainly due to lower government receipts for the purposes of budget support and donor-funded projects from development partners. Lower private transfers was a result of lower remittances over the month.

As for the payments side, import payments (except oil imports) and compensation of employees fell the most and pushed the total current account payments lower by $0.5 million. However, payments for services, official and private transfers rose over the month. These were due to an increase in payments of travel allowance and transfers by individuals to their own respective accounts overseas, which coincided with the increase in total international air departures by 10.6%.

Over the year to January 2019, the current account balance rose by $11.6 million to $54.9 million driven by the transfers and income account. Official transfers rose by $51.7 million particularly for government projects, aid, and budget support funds. Private transfer receipts contributed to the yearly surplus and rose by $11.8 million due to higher remittances for family support from abroad. Additionally, receipts for compensation of employees also increased by $5.2 million which comprises wages paid under the Recognized Seasonal Employee and other jobs. These increases outweighed the widening merchandise trade deficit as it continued to record a rise of $37.2 million. The higher payments were for imported oil, wholesale & retail goods, government imports, and vehicles. This coincided also with an increase of 1,253 container registrations indicating a busy trade sector. Meanwhile, the lower receipts corresponds to a decline in proceeds from all export categories except agriculture.

Capital Account

The surplus in the capital account increased significantly to a balance of $8.8 million in January mainly driven by a $7.5 increase in private capital receipts. These receipts were mainly for private business capital investments and project funds for the agricultural sector which will also contribute to growth in the construction sector. However, official capital receipts declined by $0.9 million in January which are lower official grants for investment projects and capital expenditures. Meanwhile, the capital account payments recorded no transactions over the month.

Annually, the capital account surplus lowered by $10.1 million to a total of $34.7 million due to lower receipts from both private and official capital receipts. Private receipts and grants for investment projects and capital expenditures declined by $11.4 million driving the yearly fall. The official capital transfer receipts also recorded a slight decline of $1.0 million. Despite on-going project works funded by multi-national donors, the decline over the year could reflect a delay in the implementation of the projects and other budget support receipts.

Financial Account

The financial account balance surplus continued into January 2019 slightly increasing by $0.2 million. This stemmed largely from other investments particularly interbank receipts for foreign exchange deals. Lower financial account payments over the month also contributed to the monthly surplus. Over the year, the financial account still recorded a deficit though much improved from last year. This was driven mainly by less dividend payments compared to the previous year.

Overseas Exchange Transactions Releases

• Overseas Exchange Transactions Releases for 2019
• 2018
• 2017
• 2016
• 2015
• 2014

Overseas Exchange Transactions Releases for 2019

	January Released on 18 June 2019 | 152 KB

2018

	November Released on 5 April 2019 | 144 KB		December Released on 1 May 2019 | 143 KB
	September Released on 25 February 2019 | 143 KB		October Released on 25 February 2019 | 143 KB
	July Released on 23 November 2018 | 150 KB		August Released on 27 December 2018 | 154 KB
	May Released on 15 August 2018 | 337 KB		June Released on 4 October 2018 | 148 KB
	March Released on 7 June 2018 | 174 KB		April Released on 15 August 2018 | 333 KB
	January Released on 16 May 2018 | 179 KB		February Released on 29 May 2018 | 174 KB

2017

	December Released on 19 March 2018 | 300 KB		November Released on 2 February 2018 | 285 KB
	October Released on 25 January 2018 | 272 KB		September Released on 27 December 2017 | 476 KB
	August Released on 27 November 2017 | 458 KB		July Released on 16 October 2017 | 264 KB
	June Released on 16 October 2017 | 259 KB		May Released on 15 August 2017 | 262 KB
	April Released on 10 July 2017 | 268 KB		March Released on 28 June 2017 | 270 KB
	February Released on 28 June 2017 | 367 KB		January Released on 21 June 2017 | 307 KB

2016

	December Released on 21 June 2017 | 314 KB		November Released on 21 June 2017 | 303 KB
	October Released on 3 April 2017| 479 KB		September Released on 28 March 2017| 493 KB
	August Released on 14 February 2017| 492 KB		July Released on 9 November 2016 | 467 KB
	June Released on 5 September 2016 | 630 KB		May Released on 10 August 2016 | 615 KB
	April Released on 30 June 2016 | 617 KB		March Released on 7 June 2016 | 613 KB
	February Released on 17 May 2016 | 634 KB		January Released on 10 May 2016 | 621 KB

2015

	December Released on 22 April 2016 | 670 KB		November Released on 22 April 2016 | 658 KB
	October Released on 29 January 2016 | 494 KB		September Released on 27 January 2016 | 518 KB
	August Released on 8 January 2016 | 288 KB		July Released on 22 December 2015 | 312 KB
	June Released on 9 December 2015 | 554 KB		May Released on 6 October 2015 | 630 KB
	April Released on 15 July 2015 | 653 KB		March Released on 3 June 2015 | 672 KB
	February Released on 10 April 2015 | 385 KB		January Released on 3 June 2015 | 741 KB

2014

	December Released on 16 February 2015 | 471 KB		November Released on 16 February 2015 | 441 KB