NZ govt gives $10 million to Fiji for direct budget support

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Professor Biman Prasad on behalf of the Fiji government today received $10 million from the New Zealand government.

During the handover, New Zealand High Commissioner to Fiji, Charlotte Darlow says this is the delivery of the promise that New Zealand Foreign Affairs Minister, Nanaia Mahuta had made when she was in Fiji earlier this year.

Darlow also says it is a direct budget support so it is designed to respond to Fiji having control of the way it wants to report on its own priorities and resources.

The Deputy Prime Minister says this grant is very innovative and timely and will go to areas where it will create the highest impact and support our people.

He adds it is a very important contribution from New Zealand to take the Fiji government forward into not only formulating the budget, but also what will happen after the budget.