FINANCE Minister Esrom Immanuel says the 2026-2027 National Budget was one of the most difficult to prepare, insisting the Government chose fiscal responsibility over pre-election populism despite mounting global and domestic economic pressures.
Delivering his right of reply to the budget debate in Parliament yesterday, Mr Immanuel said the budget was framed against an increasingly uncertain global environment.
“It was also one of the most challenging budgets that any Finance Minister could be asked to prepare,” he said.
“When work on this budget commenced, Fiji was confronted by an increasingly uncertain global environment.”
Mr Immanuel said the conflict in the Middle East had driven up international fuel prices, while slowing global growth, renewed inflationary pressures and strained supply chains added to the challenges facing Fiji.
“At the same time, Government continued to face significant fiscal constraints while the development needs of our country continued to grow.”
He said every ministry had sought additional funding and many proposals were worthy, but Government had to make difficult decisions.
“Responsible budgeting is not about approving every request. It is about making difficult choices. It is about carefully balancing today’s needs with tomorrow’s responsibilities.”
Mr Immanuel noted the budget was presented only months before the general election but said the Coalition Government had resisted the temptation to introduce vote-winning measures.
“We deliberately chose a different path. We did not prepare this budget to win votes. We prepared this budget to protect Fiji and our people.”
He said the Government had been transparent about the country’s fiscal position.
“We presented the people of Fiji with an honest assessment of our country’s economic and fiscal position… and outlined a responsible pathway to strengthen our economy over the medium term.”
