Continued increase in the revenue collection shows continued improvement in our economy.

These are the words of Interim Prime Minister and Acting Minister for Finance and National Planning Commodore Frank Bainimarama, after the Fiji Islands Revenue and Customs Authority announced an increased revenue and net revenue collection of September totaling $899.2 million, an increase of 4.8%compared to the corresponding period in 2007.

Bainimarama said with the 2009 Budget to be announced in November, this is a good indicator that Government has made significant headway in the past 22 months in stabilizing the economy, and State finances through prudent fiscal and management policies.

FIRCA Chief Executive Officer Mr Jitoko Tikolevu said the implementation of a number of tax and duty relief packages, provided in response to higher food and energy prices has mainly eroded revenue collection in the last two months.

Tikolevu said they are optimistic that the collection in the remaining three months will improve as we approach the festive season.