Minister for Economy and Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum says under the crushing weight of this pandemic, our economy is projected to contract by 4.3% this year, an optimistic projection that depends entirely on the success of Fiji and our major source markets in combating the virus.
He says COVID-19 has been present in Fiji for 1 week and the government will have no choice but to lock down Fiji if people do not follow the measures taken to contain the disease.
Sayed-Khaiyum has called on parliament to pass this budget with consensus today to assist the affected Fijians.
The Minister for Economy says Fiji can come back from this crisis better and smarter.
Sayed-Khaiyum says this virus will reshape our society and we must embrace this new reality
He says some people are blind to what is happening and the huge effects of COVID-19.
While delivering the Supplementary Budget in Parliament, Sayed-Khaiyum says this virus has paralyzed the world.
The Minister says this would be the most severe depression of our time.
Sayed-Khaiyum says for Fiji, the effects will be far worse than Cyclones Winston, Josie, Tino and Keni combined and even more.
COVID-19 RESPONSE BUDGET ESTIMATE 2019-2020
http://www.parliament.gov.fj/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/COVID-19-RESPONSE-BUDGET-ESTIMATE-2019-2020.pdf
ECONOMIC AND FISCAL UPDATE SUPPLEMENT TO THE COVID-19 RESPONSE BUDGET ADDRESS
http://www.parliament.gov.fj/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/SUPPLEMENT-TO-THE-COVID-19-RESPONSE-BUDGET-ADDRESS.pdf
