GOVERNMENT needs to take an evidence-based approach to reviewing our costs of living, says Dr Janesh Sami of the University of the South Pacific’s School of Accounting, Finance and Economics.
Speaking at the 2025 Pacific Update this week, he reiterated his calls on government to address costs of living.
“Unless we have a major review of costs of living, we won’t be able to address costs of living,” he said.
“Addressing costs of living in Fiji means that we must go beyond welfare support and taxation policies.
“The price you pay for a particular product at the supermarket is not only influenced by value added tax (VAT) but there are domestic and external factors.”
Dr Sami said a comprehensive review was required.
“We have to take a political more evidence-based approach. It’s the responsibility of the government to dig deep into these details and find out how we can bring costs of living down.
“Reducing VAT alone will not bring costs of living down because there are other factors at play.”
