Fiji has introduced its National Development Plan (NDP) for 2025-2029, along with a Vision 2050, which Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Professor Biman Prasad asserts is founded on the inherent strengths and potential of Fijians. In his message accompanying the extensive 217-page blueprint, Prasad emphasized that the NDP outlines the Coalition Government’s specific targets for achievement over the next three to five years, while also describing how Fiji envisions itself in 25 years.
The Vision aims to chart a course for transforming Fiji into a prosperous, inclusive, and sustainable nation. Prasad stressed the necessity of commitment to governance and institutional reforms, alongside a zero-tolerance policy for corruption. He underscored the importance of ensuring peace, security, and stability throughout this journey.
The document is structured into 11 chapters, delineating the Coalition Government’s targets in the context of Fiji’s socio-economic landscape, articulated under three fundamental pillars: economic resilience, people empowerment, and good governance. A key aspect of the economic strategy is the promotion of increased private sector involvement in all sectors to drive economic growth.
The government plans to remove obstacles to private sector investment by creating a supportive environment, reducing bureaucratic hurdles, addressing labor and talent shortages, and improving land access. Special attention will be given to Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to enhance their contributions to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) through initiatives aimed at improving access to financing and building capacity.
In his introduction, Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka urged Fijians to seize this opportunity to foster a vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable future. He referred to the National Development Plan as the “people’s plan,” highlighting its strategic priorities under the themes of economic resilience, people empowerment, and good governance.
Rabuka also committed the government to deliver tangible solutions over the next three years, including ensuring access to clean drinking water for all citizens, enhancing infrastructure in rural and urban areas, upgrading healthcare facilities, strengthening law and order institutions, and improving quality education and training for the populace.