Minister for Finance Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum has revealed ahead of the 2016-2017 National budget announcement tonight that the budget will focus on intensifying rebuilding efforts after Cyclone Winston and help develop enduring climate‑change mitigation measures.
He said the budget will also seek to foster a continuation of Fiji’s broad‑based growth and target assistance towards the disadvantaged.
Sayed-Khaiyum said another principal area of spending will be to empower ordinary Fijians from all walks of life.
He said for the first time in Fiji’s history they have held specific and direct consultations with people living with disabilities and with high school students.
The Minister for Finance said through these consultations, disabled persons and high school students have had direct input on the inclusive budget consultations.
Public consultations were held in Labasa and Lautoka and were attended by NGOs, the business community, civil society and education institutions.
Meanwhile, the 2016/2017 National Budget will be announced by the Finance Minister, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum at 7.30 tonight in parliament.
