The Fijian Government has taken another step in shaping the 2026–27 National Budget, engaging directly with residents during a public consultation held at St. Vincent de Paul Parish Hall in Nausori.
The consultation was led by Minister for Finance, Commerce and Business Development Esrom Yosef Immanuel, alongside Permanent Secretary for Finance Shiri Gounder, as part of ongoing nationwide efforts to gather public input.
Participants raised a range of practical concerns affecting everyday livelihoods. Key issues included the rising cost of food, the need to strengthen food security through greater support for local and niche agriculture, and the impact of recent tax policy changes on locally sourced products. Contributors highlighted the importance of reducing reliance on imports and building resilience against global economic shocks.
Small business operators and industry representatives also called for policy stability, reduced operational expenditure by government, and targeted support for sectors that sustain local communities. Concerns were raised about VAT changes affecting middlemen and market supply chains, with calls for further review to ease pressure on prices.
