Fiji has officially introduced its National Development Plan (NDP) for 2025-2029 alongside its Vision 2050, which Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Professor Biman Prasad claims is “not a pipe dream.” He emphasized that the plan is derived from the inherent strengths and potential of Fijians to achieve growth and overcome boundaries.
In his message within the comprehensive 217-page blueprint for national development, Prof Prasad elaborated that the NDP outlines specific achievement targets for the Coalition Government over the next three and five years, while also envisioning the nation’s trajectory over the next 25 years. He stated, “The Vision is intended to define the way forward and to set in motion the journey to transform Fiji into a prosperous, inclusive, and sustainable nation.”
To accomplish this transformation, Prof Prasad stressed the importance of commitment to governance and institutional reforms, indicating zero tolerance for corruption, as well as maintaining peace, security, and stability.
The document spans 11 chapters that detail the Coalition Government’s achievement targets across various socio-economic sectors, structured under three main pillars: economic resilience, people empowerment, and good governance.
A crucial aspect of the economic strategy is increasing private sector involvement to drive growth across all areas. The government plans to eliminate barriers to private investment, create an investment-friendly environment, reduce bureaucratic hurdles, tackle labor and talent shortages, and improve land accessibility.
Special focus will be placed on Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to enhance their contribution to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) through improved access to finance, capacity building, and facilitating the transition of more businesses to the formal economy.
In his foreword, Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka urged Fijians to “embrace this moment to build a future that is vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable.” He described the National Development Plan as the “people’s plan,” outlining strategic priorities centered on economic resilience, people empowerment, and good governance.
Mr. Rabuka highlighted that over the next three years, the government is committed to delivering tangible solutions to its strategic priorities, such as ensuring access to clean drinking water for all citizens, enhancing infrastructure in both rural and urban settings, upgrading healthcare facilities, strengthening institutions to uphold law and order, and providing quality education and training for the populace.