We have a debt level that we have to manage and that itself is a challenge and we have to deal with it.
Acting Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Professor Biman Prasad stated this while discussing issues faced by the economy during the budget consultations at the Nadi Civic Centre.
The current government debt level is $9.6 billion.
Professor Prasad says the government wants to raise more revenue but they also want to spend more on social welfare support and on the health and education systems in Fiji.
He adds this means that if the government is going to say that people need to pay more, then some people will get more as well which is how the economy is managed and how governments are run.
Professor Prasad says they also want to give confidence to the people, investors, entrepreneurs, and everyone else so that the government can collectively work together with the people and provide that understanding.
He says the government’s job is to support the hard work of the people and provide them with good health facilities, good roads, water, electricity and most importantly provide a safe environment.
