One of the things in the National Development Plan (NDP) to launch on 17, is an ambition for Fiji to become a rich country in the next 25 to 30 years, from a middle-income country says the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Hon. Professor Biman Prasad.
“And for us to do that the participation of our women in our economy whether its the labour force, whether it's the leadership position - is going to be a very defining moment for our country,” he said.
Speaking as a Guest of Honour at the launch of Kimaya Fiji at Yatule Resort and Spa in Natadola, Professor Prasad said when they started more than 18 months ago, a lot of noise was being heard.
“The Government took the view very clearly and in a very considerable manner that we ought to listen and understand the concerns and the aspirations of all the sectors of our community,” he said.
“As the Hon. Deputy Prime Minister (Manoa Kamikamica) said very clearly and very eloquently, there is a sense of confidence, should I say, exuberance, that we are seeing in the way in which we are building confidence, particularly amongst our business community.
“We embarked on a journey of consultation, dialogue and working together with our people, particularly in the private sector and the non-governmental communities. We are very pleased about the fact that we have been able to do this very well."
Professor Prasad said as the Hon. Deputy Prime Minister (Mr. Kamikamica) stated that the Government has put together a program.
“A plan of action to ensure that we create an environment which is conducive for businesses, conducive for our people, workers, communities, our farmers, to be able to unleash their energy, their potential and their innovation.
“Today, this is a very good occasion, a very good example of the innovation, the drive and the energy that we have seen from Tour Managers Group of Companies.
“I have known Mr. Damend Gounder for many years, for more than 20 years now, and I know that he's a man of vision, a man of compassion, a man who thinks about making this country a great country for all our people.
“And I am not surprised that he is not only focusing on building the business environment, his own business empire but at the same time demonstrating very clearly how he can also provide support and build compassion and care for our people.”
The two projects, Professor Prasad said the Kimaya House in Tagi Tagi Tavua recently and the Brighter Minds program that he (Mr. Gounder) is now spearheading – “these are very good and critical thinking that he's brought about in improving the quality of life of our people”.
As far as the economy is concerned, Professor Prasad said they projected in a very conservative way last year, that the growth would be 2.8 per cent in 2024.
“But as I said, it was a very conservative estimate. We're now confident that we will achieve more than 3 per cent growth. In the last two budgets, we have ensured that we reset our financial position.
“We have ensured that we put in tax policies, fiscal policies that will fund the government properly. And we've been we've been able to reduce our deficit from as high as 8 to 9 per cent that we used to see in the past to a management level of less than 4 per cent.
Professor Prasad said they also ensured the debt issue was addressed.
“We have now managed to bring our debt to GDP ratio from 90 per cent of GDP that we inherited from the past to about 78 per cent of GDP.”
Professor Prasad said the contribution of the tourism industry in Fiji is significant.
“It is more than 40 per cent of our GDP. But as a Government, we are determined to also make sure that we grow other sectors of the economy that are linked with the tourism industry.
“And I'm very pleased to say that we're seeing the fruits of that leadership, fruits of working together with the private sector.
“And we find as a government, that bringing people from the private sector, involving them in government, policy, decision-making processes, allows us to do things better, and we are now seeing the fruits of that collaboration, that consultation, and working together in terms of some of the changes we've made.”
Professor Prasad added the Fiji National Provident Fund (FNPF), the board and the management are working very closely to identify not only investment potential within the tourism sector, “but also in other sectors, including agriculture, to ensure that we push our economy towards more diversification”.