Assistant Minister for Employment, Alvick Maharaj says the 2021-2022 National Budget is the result of prudent financial management and effective control of Government operations to prevent wastage and ensure that they are able to sustain the biggest economic downturn Fiji has ever seen.
While speaking in support of the budget in parliament, Maharaj says the budget has sent shockwaves to the Opposition and many are still trying to come to terms on how the Government has formulated this plan when there is a massive reduction in revenue, borders are closed for more than a year and Fiji has to deal with a global pandemic crisis never experienced before in our history.
He says the $3.7 billion budget is a people-centred budget and it is focused on ensuring that the grassroot people are not left behind and they clearly see the beneficiaries are the local people or people who are suffering as a result of the pandemic.
Maharaj has also highlighted that we should encourage everyone to get vaccinated and we can turn to normalcy very soon, if we are able to gain herd immunity.
The Assistant Minister says if we all get vaccinated, borders will open, flights will resume, job opportunities will be created and school can resume.
He adds they understand more work will be needed to rebuild business and investor confidence and that is exactly what this Government is aiming to do.
Maharaj says this budget has actually deviated from the path of physical contraction to support people's livelihood, and economic growth in the shadows of one in a century crisis.
He says the budget ensures all Fijian improve their standard of living and gradually get back to normalcy.
