We are not afraid of criticism – Prof. Prasad

We are not afraid of criticism, the media is free and the people are free.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Professor Biman Prasad stated this in an interview, saying for people to look at the things they have done in the last 10 months.

Professor Prasad says they started by making sure all the students got $200 at the beginning of the term.

He says they were able to start dialogue and consultations, they held the National Economic Summit and had a successful completion of the National Budget.

The Deputy Prime Minister says the budget has gone down well despite some of the harsh measures.

He says the business community and private sector have understood why they have presented such a balanced budget.

The Finance Minister says this is contrary to all the rumours that this government is going to cut social welfare and take away people’s benefits.

He says in fact they have added more benefits.

Professor Prasad says they have increased the budget for health.

He says the economy is showing signs of strong recovery and our former Fiji citizens and their descendants will not need a permit to come to Fiji to work, reside, invest and live.

The Deputy Prime Minister says the fact that people can protest and criticise the government ministers is how transparent and open this government is.