Fiji has unveiled its ambitious National Development Plan (NDP) for 2025-2029, sparking conversations about the hopeful future filled with new job opportunities, reduced poverty, and improved living standards for all. However, there is a significant caveat: creating a plan is similar to formulating a rugby strategy on paper. It might look promising in concept, but without the right people, effective training, and continuous monitoring, it risks being ineffective.
One of the most pressing challenges is emigration, often likened to an elephant in the room. Many Fijians are leaving for countries such as Australia and New Zealand in search of better prospects for themselves and their families. This situation poses a dilemma as the nation strives to create 2,000 new jobs in tourism and 7,000 in outsourcing by 2029. If the best talent leaves the country, who will fill these newly created positions?
Nevertheless, it is not time to despair. Fiji can look to smaller island nations like Mauritius and Singapore, which have successfully overcome similar obstacles. These nations transformed their economies by learning from their challenges and implementing strategic plans. If they could succeed, Fiji has the potential to do the same.
The path to achieving the NDP goals requires a practical game plan. Here are two immediate steps to consider:
Step 1: Establish clear, ambitious goals. Without knowing where the end zone lies, teams can easily become lost on the field. Fiji’s NDP includes specific targets such as creating 2,000 tourism jobs by 2027 and ramping up to 7,000 by 2029, alongside significant increases in agriculture and outsourcing jobs. These concrete objectives offer a clear vision of success.
Step 2: Assign responsibility. It is crucial to have clear accountability for each objective in the NDP. Currently, the Ministry of Finance is listed as the coordinator, but a more dynamic leadership approach is needed. The Prime Minister should actively oversee the plan’s implementation, ensuring that relevant ministries fulfill their roles and responsibilities.
Moving forward, each ministry must be tasked with specific goals, allowing for a focused and structured approach to achieving the plan’s targets. For instance, the Ministry of Tourism should actively engage with local businesses to fill the tourism jobs, while the Ministry of Agriculture should focus on agricultural training programs to recruit new farmers.
As the government progresses, it is important to keep track of success through regular progress reports and to address issues promptly. Celebrating milestones will help maintain public morale and reinforce collective responsibility across ministries.
However, it’s critical to recognize that economic growth alone will not solve all challenges. A multi-faceted government approach that prioritizes job creation across various sectors is necessary to sustain progress. Keeping skilled Fijians within the country as well as enticing those abroad to return must be part of the core strategy for job development.
In conclusion, utilizing lessons from pioneering nations like Mauritius and Singapore, coupled with a dedicated focus on skills development, clear responsibilities, and accountability, will enable Fiji to effectively execute the NDP. By tackling the significant challenges head-on, Fiji can aim to achieve its ambitious goals and ensure a prosperous future for all its citizens.