Key initiatives in the budget are expected to address economic shortfalls - Lockington

Key initiatives in the budget are expected to address economic shortfalls - Lockington

By Dhanjay Deo
Tuesday 20/07/2021
Chief Executive Officer Fantasha Lockington.

The Fiji Hotel and Tourism Association says key initiatives announced in the 2021/2022 National Budget are expected to address the economic shortfalls with many support programs being continued from last year and new ones being introduced for the unemployed.

Chief Executive Officer Fantasha Lockington says with the tourism industry being forced to shed approximately 60% of its 130,000 employees, the focus on income support for the unemployed is a welcome and critical feature.

She says the tourism industry alone contributed $3 billion in taxes and foreign exchange earnings in 2019 and it is clear the Fijian economy is feeling this gaping hole and the industry is keen to take advantage of what has been offered and work towards getting back to work safer.

Lockington says the industry recognized early that vaccination was the only way out of this current crisis and are encouraged to see this as one of the key focus areas of the National Budget.

She adds the focus on vaccination as a condition of employment is the biggest milestone to achieve for Fiji to get its largest industry back to work under safer work conditions.

Lockington says they also welcome the retention of tax reforms that were introduced last year that the industry has not been able to take advantage of to a larger extent because of closed borders.

Lockington says the association also welcomes the inclusion this year of other business support measures where fees and charges for licensing and compliance is either being waived or will be paid for by Government through its COVID-19 recovery credit guarantee scheme. $200 million has been made available for micro, small and medium enterprises to meet their operational needs, including payment of wages and salaries, rental cost, utility bills, purchase of stocks and other working capital requirements.

She says the Association will support members to access this scheme.

Lockington further says as Fiji prepares for borders to reopen later this year once the 80% adult population vaccination requirement is reached, businesses that have been closed for over 12 months, or operating intermittently at a fraction of their size need to prudently manage what their reopening will look like.

FEATURE NEWS
Free, fair and unregulated media is vital for genuine democracy—Prof. Prasad
A free, fair and unregulated media is absolutely vital for true and genuine democracy. Acting Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Professor Bi...
3 hours ago
LATEST NEWS
From Humble Beginnings to High-Tech Healing: PSH Hospitals Puts Fiji’s Health First
Fiji is experiencing a healthcare revolution, and at the heart of it all is Parvish Kumar—the visionary founder and CEO of Pacific Specialist ...
2 hours ago

Billion dollar cruise ship arrives in Suva with more than a thousand visitors
Fiji is the go-to destination for Australian couple Robin Cooper and her husband, who arrived in Suva this morning via the billion-dollar cruise ...
2 hours ago

It was a deliberate attack to ruin my reputation and positions – Tabuya
It was a deliberate attack. The attacker's sole purpose was to publicly humiliate, to defame me, to crucify me, to morally judge me, to character ...
3 hours ago

4 to front court for alleged meth and marijuana possession in Vatuwaqa
The four men who were allegedly found with methamphetamine and marijuana during a drug raid at the Nanuku Settlement in Vatuwaqa on Saturday have ...
3 hours ago

95 undersized mud crabs seized in Fisheries Ministry spot checks
The Ministry of Fisheries and the Fiji Navy confiscated 95 undersized mud crabs during enforcement spot checks in the Central Division following ...
3 hours ago



fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan
Latest Videos

Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
yb
IN DEPTH
Health Minister Dr Lalabalavu on fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan
Health Minister, Doctor Ratu Atonio Lalabalavu on fijivillage Straight Talk With Vijay ...
6 days ago

PM Rabuka on fijivillage Straight Talk With Vijay Narayan
Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka on fijivillage Straight Talk With Vijay Narayan. The in-depth interview will focus on many issues facing the ...
10 days ago

Perth 7s 2025
The Fiji Airways Men’s National 7s side finished in 5th place at the HSBC Perth 7s after defeating France 17-5 in the 5th place ...
11 days ago

TOP