Development partners commit to helping Fijians mitigate and recover from the pandemic and further pledge their support for the 2021-2022 National Budget

Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum today hosted a Development Partner Forum where development partners reaffirmed their commitment to helping Fijians mitigate and recover from the pandemic and further pledged their support for the 2021-2022 National Budget cycle.

Over 60 representatives from bilateral and multilateral partners attended the meeting virtually.

The forum discussed Fiji’s COVID-19 response, the upcoming 2021-2022 National Budget and strategic development cooperation.

Addressing members of the diplomatic corps and representatives of multilateral institutions, Sayed-Khaiyum conveyed the Fijian Government’s appreciation for the continuous timely support to our health and economic response.

Sayed-Khaiyum also provided an update on the targeted unemployment support provided to the formal and informal sector, provision of household packs to those in targeted lockdown areas and spending on other social protection initiatives.

In relation to the upcoming 2021-2022 National Budget, the Minister for Economy further highlighted priority sectors for investment in order to stimulate economic activity and employment creation.

Also present in the meeting was the Permanent Secretary for Health and Medical Services, Doctor James Fong, who shared an overview of Fiji’s COVID-19 clinical and public health response.

Doctor Fong highlighted key areas such as community awareness and supply of protective equipment.

The Fiji Government says various development partners commended the Government’s balanced strategy in mitigating the COVID-19 pandemic and providing socio-economic solutions to protect vulnerable populations.