Fiji needs to spend less

Government expenditure has steadily increased over the years to an alarming level and at a cost to infrastructure, health services and social welfare. This was a recent pronouncement from the Vice President of Fiji, Ratu Joni Madraiwiwi.

Delivering his keynote address at the Training and Productivity Authority of Fiji’s Excellence in Business Awards, Ratu Joni said the capacity of entities trying to improve productivity in Fiji was being affected by the Government’s inability to reduce its expenditure.

Recent statistics showed disturbing trends: not only had exports fallen over the last three years but figures of productivity have not been “flattering”.

“The country simply cannot afford to import at current levels without there being serious consequences for our balance of trade figures”, he said. “The issue of productivity is not in itself, it is interconnected with other social, economic and political considerations.

“It is affected by the ability of government to reduce its expenditure,which in recent years has seen extraordinarily large portions going to wages and salaries”.