Economy

Economy resilient despite infrastructure reconstruction post-Winston

The reconstruction of infrastructure damaged by natural disasters since 2016 has cost the government $500m without crippling the economy.

While delivering the budget announcement in Parliament on Friday, Minister for Economy Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum says this was possible because of a healthy economy under the Bainimarama Government.

“The scale of the rebuilding effort was only possible because of the strength of our economic position prior to Winston. As we conclude that re-building effort, we can now say without a shadow of a doubt that the Fijian economy is the most climate-resilient it has ever been.”

“And over the years the price tag of this storm has proven immense with the total costing the economy of an astonishing $500m. Those costs were component by the devastation of cyclone Josie, Keni and Gita in the years that follow.”

The Economy Minister adds they have put in more effort to build better and stronger schools with resilient building plans providing high-quality materials for homes and re-deploying infrastructure in a climate-conscious manner.