Budget shows Government is truly for the people - Vegnathan

Assistant Minister for Sugar, George Vegnathan, says this Government has demonstrated through this budget that they are truly for the people.

While speaking during the 2020/2021 National Budget debate, Vegnathan says even during these challenging times, when the future is uncertain, Government will still honour its commitment to pay $85 per tonne for sugar cane for the 2020 crop.

Vegnathan says no other Government has ever provided so much assistance in the history of Fiji to the sugar cane farmers.

He adds as of today the three mills have crushed 359,757 tonnes of cane compared to 284,356 tonnes for the same period last year.

Vegnathan says they are certain that in years to come sugar will once again be the number one foreign reserve earner.

He further says the United Nations has also commended the Fijian Government for this bold and courageous budget.

He adds the increase in domestic consumption will increase demand for goods and services thus increase demand for labours to produce to meet the increase in demand for goods and services.

Vegnathan says as a result, it creates employment opportunities within Fiji which is the path of recovery.