NZ Provides Further $58m Budget Support Package
“This budget support package demonstrates Aotearoa New Zealand’s commitment to support Fiji to respond to the immediate economic impacts of COVID-19 and support a sustainable long term recovery,” Ms Darlow said.
Friday 24 December 2021 | 09:00
New Zealand’s new High Commissioner Charlotte Darlow with Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama.
The New Zealand Government has provided a further $58 million package of budget support to the Government of Fiji.
This is to help respond to the immediate socio-economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
New Zealand’s new High Commissioner to Fiji, Charlotte Darlow, who made a courtesy call to Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama on Wednesday, said the budget support would focus on social protection.
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“This budget support package demonstrates Aotearoa New Zealand’s commitment to support Fiji to respond to the immediate economic impacts of COVID-19 and support a sustainable long term recovery,” Ms Darlow said.
“The impact of the pandemic has been felt widely across Fiji’s society and economy."
“This fiscal support will enable the Fijian Government to continue to support the needs of vulnerable households and sustain livelihoods.”
Minister for Economy Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, while receiving the budgetary support, said the Fijian Government appreciated another vote of confidence in its financial management through New Zealand’s direct budgetary support.
This he said would help kick-start Fiji’s ongoing recovery.
“For that recovery to be meaningful and sustained over the long-term, we must work towards a normalisation of trade and travel within our region,” Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said.
“As the region’s hub, Fiji is prepared to help lead the Pacific into the new post-pandemic normal and, as nations with world-leading rates of vaccination, we look forward to re-uniting Fijians and Kiwis under both countries’ reopening plans as soon and safely as possible.”
Prime Minister Bainimarama also acknowledged NZ’s swift assistance to Fiji’s national response to COVID-19, through the provision of direct budget support, procurement of life saving vaccines and deployment of medical personnel, medical equipment and supplies.
He congratulated Ms Darlow on her new diplomatic role and reaffirmed the Fijian Government’s commitment to further advance collaboration with New Zealand.
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