The European Union has announced that it is providing $50 million as budget support to the Fijian government for the next three years and $20 million is the assistance payment for 2020.
Speaking at the signing ceremony of the Financing Agreement, EU Ambassador to the Pacific Sujiro Seam says this is a sign of the trust and confidence placed by the EU in the government of Fiji.
He says they trust the capacity of the government of Fiji to face the health consequences of the coronavirus outbreak and also congratulate the government for steps taken so far which has proven very successful.
Seam says he has heard so many stories of people who cannot work in the tourism industry anymore and had to go back to the village to farm to be able to literally put food on the table.
He says that is why they are focusing their budget support on rural livelihood.
Seam adds they support the efforts undertaken by the government to reform the agriculture sector and implement a new strategy aimed at creating value, job opportunities, diversifying and coping with climate change.
Minister for Economy Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum says they are most definitely appreciative of the confidence that the European Union has placed in Fiji.
He says it is also an indication of that fact they have confidence in the way the government is managing the economy and the financial system.
Sayed-Khaiyum says currently Fiji Airways is flying freight flights to Los Angeles, Sydney and Auckland. Over 70% of the freight taken out of Fiji is actually agriculture-based.
He says there are also business opportunities in Fiji and they want to expand that scope to European countries.
