Those labelling the 2020-2021 National Budget as a business-oriented budget fail to understand that an improved livelihood would be created from the boost in the business sector.

These were the sentiments shared by Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama during the talanoa session at the Nayavu District School, Wainibuka, Tailevu on Friday.

The talanoa session was held after Mr Bainimarama opened the Nayavu Police Post.

Mr Bainimarama said Opposition politicians, who have criticised this budget, failed to consider the importance of boosting the business sector to nurture the country’s economy and create revenue generations.

He said he was aware of the many critics labelling the budget as a business-oriented budget.

Mr Bainimarama also corrected claims on the budget allocation to construct a new office for the Office of the Prime Minister.

“The $7 million budget allocation for the construction of a new office of the Prime Minister complex is not only going benefit me, but other Prime Ministers who will take over from me in years to come,” Mr Bainimarama said.

“I am human and I am not going to live forever and that building will benefit those after me,” he said.

For social welfare assistance, he said though the decrease in assistance for some senior citizens supported under the social welfare scheme, the assistance would continue and Government would not stop the allocation.

Mr Bainimarama said his Government was looking forward to the reopening of borders between Australia, New Zealand and Fiji as the country’s tourism sector heavily depended on the two markets.

Edited by Karalaini Waqanidrola

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