Acting Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Professor Biman Prasad says overseas trips for cabinet ministers will be scrutinized very carefully after he revealed that from January to October, the government spent $2.5 million on overseas travel, including fares and allowances.
While responding to a question on fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan on the number of overseas travels or the total cost of overseas travels this year, Professor Prasad says not all invitations should be accepted, and he concurs with the Prime Minister’s statement.
He says some meetings can be attended by our Embassy or by sending an official and some can be attended virtually.
The Acting Prime Minister also highlighted that some of their trips were funded by international partners and those that invited them.
Professor Prasad says some of the trips are essential as they deal with matters of partnerships and policies that will benefit the economy.
The Acting Prime Minister says not all invitations should be accepted as he has declined about 40 to 50 percent of the invites this year.
He also highlighted that the cost of travel is not as exorbitant as people say because if people look at 2019 and 2020, the FijiFirst Government spent $3 million on overseas trips.
Professor Prasad also says there needs to be better management after concerns raised by the Fiji Public Service Association that 9 ministers were away at the same time including the Prime Minister and the 3 Deputy Prime Ministers.
He adds the Ministers for Foreign Affairs, Finance, Trade, Tourism and Civil Aviation definitely need to attend some meetings to secure deals and agreements for the country.
You can watch the full Straight Talk interview on our website, fijivillage.
