I HAVE been watching developments around the world with growing concern, particularly the wars in Europe and the Middle East, the rising cost of fuel and the uncertainty surrounding the global economy.
While much of this is happening thousands of kilometres away from our shores, I fear that we in Fiji have not fully appreciated just how serious the consequences could be for our country in the months and years ahead.
We are a small island nation that depends heavily on the outside world. Much of the food, fuel, machinery, medicine and other essential goods we use every day comes from overseas.
Our tourism industry, which supports thousands of families, depends on international travel and the financial wellbeing of people in countries such as Australia, New Zealand and the United States.
When these economies experience difficulties, the effects eventually reach our shores, whether through higher prices, reduced visitor spending or increased costs for businesses.
The ongoing war in Ukraine and the conflict involving Iran have created further uncertainty in international energy markets. We have already seen petrol prices in parts of Fiji increase to $3.70 a litre at the beginning of November, and there is no guarantee that prices will settle anytime soon.
Higher fuel prices affect almost everything in our economy, from transporting vegetables to our markets to the expenses faced by bus operators, fishermen, farmers and small businesses. Ultimately, these costs are passed on to ordinary families who are already finding it difficult to make ends meet.
It is important to acknowledge that the Government has managed reasonably well under difficult circumstances. Fiji’s economy has continued to show resilience, tourism remains an important source of income, and our foreign reserves provide some protection against external pressures.
There are certainly areas where improvements can be made, but we must also be fair in recognising that many of the challenges now confronting us are beyond the control of any government in Fiji.
No Prime Minister or Minister of Finance can stop a war in the Middle East, control global oil prices or prevent major economies from experiencing difficulties. Regardless of who occupies the Government benches, these international developments will have consequences for our country.
The latest figures from the Fiji Bureau of Statistics show that consumer prices in October were 9 percent higher than the same month last year. This is another reminder of the pressure facing households.
Many families are having to make difficult choices about what they can afford, and any further increase in the cost of essential goods will only make matters worse.
Beyond the economic concerns, we should not overlook the possibility of another major public health emergency.
The COVID-19 pandemic showed us how quickly life can change and how vulnerable our economy can become. Thousands of people lost their jobs, businesses struggled to survive and families endured tremendous hardship.
While there is no indication that another pandemic of that scale is imminent, the possibility of future disease outbreaks remains something every country must prepare for.
We also have our own challenges closer to home, particularly the threat of El Niño, with concerns that we could face one of the more severe drought periods in recent years. Prolonged dry weather, water shortages and reduced agricultural production could place further pressure on families already struggling with rising prices.
Imagine having to deal with high fuel prices, food shortages, drought and another major health emergency at the same time. These are not matters we should only begin discussing when a crisis is already upon us.
It is against this background that I find our continuing political arguments increasingly concerning. Almost every day, our national conversation seems to be dominated by disagreements, accusations and disputes between political leaders.
I fully appreciate that political debate is necessary in a democracy and that the Government must be held accountable, but surely our leaders can find common ground when it comes to protecting the country from challenges that affect every Fijian.
I would like to see more serious discussion about our national preparedness, including our fuel security, local food production, medical supplies, water resources and ability to withstand another major economic shock.
These are matters that should concern both the Government and the Opposition, and there is no reason why our political leaders cannot work together to identify practical solutions while continuing to disagree on other issues.
We cannot control the wars taking place overseas, determine international oil prices or prevent every disease outbreak and natural disaster. What we can do is make sensible decisions today that will place Fiji in a stronger position tomorrow.
We have experienced difficult times before, and our people have shown remarkable resilience, but resilience alone cannot replace proper planning and preparation.
I sincerely hope that our political leaders, regardless of which side of Parliament they sit on, will devote greater attention to these challenges.
The world is changing rapidly, and the warning signs are already there.
We owe it to our children, our families and future generations to prepare for the possibility of harder times ahead, rather than allowing ourselves to be caught unprepared when the next crisis arrives.
ARNOLD CHANEL is an investor and business executive with years of tech expertise. He can be contacted on ceo@vanguardtech.pro. The views expressed in this article are his and not of this newspaper
