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Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka says some of the key initiatives for the 2023/2024 National Budget are VAT to be made simpler than before and the total government expenditure to remain at a manageable level.

While delivering his State of the Nation address, Rabuka says infrastructure spending will be managed with greater diligence and the Capital to Operating Expenditure Ratio will be maintained at 30:70, rural roads will be upgraded so that rural economy and agriculture performance can be improved, social welfare benefits for aged citizens will be increased to cushion the rising cost of living and meet the needs of recipients, health expenditure will be increased so that the healthcare services and facilities can be improved, the education sector remains government’s priority so their expenditure commitment will be retained; and allocation for skills training will be improved significantly to fill the gaps that exist due to migration of our workers.

The Prime Minister says as the current debt burden is extremely high at 85% of GDP, government revenue collection must be more robust.

Rabuka says the revenue policy reforms will be guided by principles of fairness, simplicity and revenue-adequacy. He says the Coalition Government is also changing the way it does business with regard to revenue collection for the nation.

The Prime Minister says they are committed to transparency and genuine consultation with businesses and taxpayers.

He says they want to make it easy for all citizens to pay their fair share of taxes.

Rabuka says these changes will be reflected in the new plan for the Fiji Revenue and Customs Service, and the new compliance improvement strategy.

He says they will also make the best use of technology and analytical tools to enable compliance with tax laws.

The Prime Minister stresses we must all play our part as citizens, and patriots to rebuild our nation, for improved health, education, infrastructure, including other essential services that have deteriorated over the years.

Rabuka has hinted that a key example of this in the Budget is that the taxation system will be instrumental in addressing the crisis caused by non-communicable diseases which is killing thousands of people every year, more than any other disease.

Policies will be implemented to reduce the intake of junk food and increase domestic and organic food production which will in turn improve the wellbeing of our people.

He says he is confident that they have clearly heard people’s views through budget consultations, the National Economic Summit and the work of the Fiscal Review Committee in identifying issues of national priorities that must be addressed with urgency.

Rabuka also says most importantly, the tax system offers extremely attractive incentives and customs concessions to support the growth and diversification of our economy.

These incentives will target key growth sectors including new tax-free zones so that the whole of Fiji can prosper and grow. He says the priorities must change to achieve better productive outcomes with minimum social cost.

The Prime Minister also made it clear that the economy needs to switch from being consumption-driven to production to ensure private sector growth and development.

He pleads for the understanding of the citizens of the country as the primary objective of the Budget is to address the problems and challenges we face as a nation.

Rabuka says it is not their intention, but this Budget may bring pain to some of you and your families.

He says in our journey together we must be guided by the vision of our founding fathers and the basic values of our parents and ancestors, that is, kindness, mutual respect, and unity.

Rabuka says these values will take our nation a long way into the future where we seek happiness, unity, freedom and prosperity.

He says these basic human values will provide us the spirit and the will to persevere to rebuild our nation together.

Rabuka also says last weekend some 800 volunteers turned up to continue with the cleaning up and rehabilitation of the CWM Hospital and the Rotarians were also at Lautoka Hospital for the same purpose.

He says all these helpers are patriots dedicated to the good of our nation.

Rabuka says they are nation builders and he salutes them.

He also says you can do your part to rebuild Fiji by joining the ranks of those who go out of their way to assist the poor and the needy.

He says a basket of groceries means a lot to someone who is destitute or homeless.

The Prime Minister says they also intend to bring back municipal elections.

He says offering yourself as a candidate would be part of the remaking of Fiji and serving your locality.

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