6 Jun 2019

Fiji opposition warns of economic collapse

12:46 pm on 6 June 2019

Fiji's main opposition party says the government needs to urgently improve the way it manages the economy because global economic uncertainty lies ahead.

Fiji's SODELPA leader, Sitiveni Rabuka.

Fiji's SODELPA leader, Sitiveni Rabuka. Photo: RNZ / Koroi Hawkins

SODELPA has presented its view on the economy to local media a day before the presentation of the national budget tomorrow Friday evening.

The party's leader Sitiveni Rabuka said Fiji faces an economic crisis, especially with the China-US trade impasse and fuel price volatility.

"The Bainimarama government has been taking an expansionary approach since it came into power in 2006 and the results have been appalling and it is time we as a nation must put aside our differences, political beliefs and ideologies and work together to minimise the risk of our economy collapsing."

Mr Rabuka said at the moment Fiji's economy relies too heavily on domestic consumption while private firms and overseas players are not encouraged enough to invest.

He said sectors like tourism, sugar, timber and fishing are underperforming and half the people live in hardship.