A whopping FJ$130 million is being provided by Australia to Fiji as direct budget support. Minister for Economy and Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum and Australian High Commissioner John Feakes signed the deal with Australian Minister for International Development and the Pacific, Zed Seselja, joining virtually.

Mr Seselja said it had been a difficult 18 months around the world and for the two countries.

“Australia is proud of the genuine friendship enjoyed with the Government and the people of Fiji through this period,” Mr Seselja commented.

“I want to acknowledge the strong response from the Fijian Government to the pandemic. Your government worked quickly to take tough decisions which means Fiji is now emerging from the worst of the pandemic. Fiji’s vaccine rollout has been world class.”

Mr Seselja acknowledged the economic assistance to Fijians during this pandemic.

“It holds true we are working together to maintain regional stability and strengthening economic resilience,” he said.

“Our fiscal support is helping address Fiji’s immediate fiscal pressures, supporting debt sustainability, and bolstering vital services and social protection plans of Fiji’s most vulnerable people.

“And this package will support Fiji’s ongoing reforms including fiscal management, private sector recovery, gender equality and social inclusion.”

Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said the direct budget support was been tremendous. He said Australia’s help in providing vaccines made the pathway to the economic recovery.

He also said that when many countries were scrambling around looking for the vaccine, Australia had already provided Fiji with what it needed to start its vaccine rollout.

He said Australia’s support towards Fiji provided for the important changes that lead to economic recovery and resilience.

“What it has enabled us to do is revamp many of our laws bring up to the 21st century. Number of policy items have opened up the market and liberalised the economy, brought in private sector participation,” Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said.

He said the tourism sector was driving economic growth which had been revised to 10 per cent.

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