New Zealand provides further FJ$58m budget support package to Fiji

The New Zealand Government has provided a further package of support of FJ$58m to the Fijian Government to help respond to the immediate socio-economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

New Zealand’s High Commissioner to Fiji Charlotte Darlow says the budget support will focus on social protection.

Darlow says this budget support package demonstrates Aotearoa New Zealand’s commitment to support Fiji to respond to the immediate economic impacts of COVID-19 and support a sustainable long term recovery.

She says this fiscal support will enable the Fijian Government to continue to support the needs of vulnerable households and sustain livelihoods.

In a statement, Attorney General and Minister for Economy Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum says they appreciate another vote of confidence in Fiji's financial management through New Zealand's direct budgetary support to help kick start our ongoing recovery.

He says for that recovery to be meaningful and sustained over the long-term, we must work towards a normalisation of trade and travel within our region.

Sayed-Khaiyum adds as the region's hub, Fiji is prepared to help lead the Pacific into the new post-pandemic normal and, as nations with world-leading rates of vaccination, we look forward to re-uniting Fijians and Kiwis under both countries’ reopening plans as soon and safely as possible.