The Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama has welcomed the idea of introducing of casinos in Fiji which he thinks will bring in more money which will help solve poverty.
This was his view at the Public and Private Sector Consultative Forum on the 2010 Budget at the Novotel Convention Centre in Lami yesterday.
Bainimarama believes that some do not like the idea of the casino concept but he is for it.
Bainimarama added most people instead of helping reducing poverty had their agenda.
Also at the Forum, Father Kevin Barr of ECREA raised concerns that the authorities should not only think of what benefits the nation, but think of the welfare of the people.
Father Barr points out the budget allocation of $23 million for Tourism this year should have been given to housing.
Meanwhile, the Fiji Chamber of Commerce President said Fiji could save an estimated $50 million a year by making the sheep farming industry a commercial entity.
Swani Maharaj said attempts to make sheep farming a viable industry have failed over the past 40 years.
At the Forum, the Finance Ministry Permanent Secretary John Prasad said the government's aim is to have a balanced budget by 2012 and have a ratio of operating to capital expenditure to 75 to 25.
Prasad said civil service reforms will be accelerated from 2010 to reduce the operating expenditure adding cabinet has already approved the Ministry working with each ministry to ensure that the overall objectives are achieved.
He said issues like the 42,000 people currently on the different payroll systems are being analyzed to look at where the labour is sitting in each ministry and the costs attached to them.
John Prasad has also revealed that the revenue measures and tax incentives will also be reviewed for the 2010 budget bearing in mind that the focus is to reduce our imports and boost our exports.
However, Prasad said they will weigh a number of issues as they have noticed that the tax incentives given to the local manufacturers and businesses do not result in cheaper prices for the goods they manufacture or sell.
PM welcomes casino idea
Related Stories
We are committed to holding elections – Siromi Turaga
Questions were raised during Dialogue Fiji’s Constitution review discussion on whether the government can delay the general elections and complete the Constitution review however Acting Attorney General Siromi Turaga
Fijian economy on track to grow for fourth consecutive year in 2025 by 3.4%
The Fijian economy is on track to grow for the fourth consecutive year in 2025 by 3.4 percent, following a 3.5 percent expansion in 2024. The growth forecast is revised up marginally from the 3.2 percent projected
Heavy Rain Alert for Eastern Viti Levu, Southern Bua, Cakaudrove, Taveuni and maritime areas
A heavy rain alert is now in force for the eastern half of Viti Levu (Navua–Suva–Nausori to Serua–Namosi to Tailevu–Naitasiri–Ra areas), southern Bua, Cakaudrove, Taveuni and nearby smaller islands, the Lau an
We need to dismantle criminal enterprises, hitting them where it hurts most - Speaker
Speaker of Parliament, Filimone Jitoko has highlighted during the opening of the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions Conference that there is a need for prosecutors in the country to master the digital frontie
Fiji has learned from its past and we know that restricting media engagement or access is not the answer - Tabuya
At all times, the public interest in accessing information and the media’s role in scrutinising government must outweigh any unilateral power to silence or sideline a news outlet. In Fiji, we uphold the principle that
Wailea resident raises concerns about drug issues raised countless times with Police while COMPOL says official complaint must be lodged
Wailea Settlement Community leader, Inoke Utona says he has raised the issue of drug use and dealing in their area countless times with the authorities but there has still been no response from Police. However when