The Coalition Government still needs to do more to build trust among its citizens regarding the delivery and implementation of policies, says Finance Minister Professor Biman Prasad.
Speaking during the Nadi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI) post-budget consultation in Nadi on Friday, Professor Prasad emphasized the importance of various sectors in the economy. “Governments are just one small part of creating an economy and contributing to its growth,” he said. “It is our people—those in the private sector, farmers, doctors, nurses, and everyone else you can think of—who make the country productive and contribute to its growth.”
Professor Prasad noted that over the past 18 months, the government has made efforts to listen to and consult the public on significant policy issues. “Budgets are always a very central, political, and economic process that invariably incorporate different views and opinions about what governments put out as policy,” he explained.
He acknowledged that public opinion on the government’s performance over the past 18 months might vary. “You may agree with some and you may not agree with others in terms of policies, but one thing we must agree on is that we now have a very open political environment where people are free,” he stated. “It is very important that such an environment is created, maintained, and supported, especially by those in government.”
Professor Prasad reiterated the need for the government to continue building trust through effective policy delivery and implementation.