Two Fijian academics have warned that Fiji’s economy will be hit hard as the situation between Russia and Ukraine intensifies.
USP senior lecturer in economics Dr Neelesh Gounder said one immediate implication would be the impact on the price of crude oil which had risen above $100 a barrel.
He said one option to “soften the blow on consumers would be for Government to remove the 20 cents per litre fiscal duty on diesel and unleaded fuel that was implemented in 2020”.
Jioji Kotobalavu, a former permanent secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office who now lectures in Public Law and in International Relations and Diplomacy at the University of Fiji, has called on Fiji to openly express its strong support for Ukraine and its people and openly condemn Russia for its armed aggression and flagrant breach of international law.
He said Government should authorise Fiji’s permanent representative to the United Nations to make a statement to convey in no uncertain terms, Fiji’s strong condemnation of Russia’s invasion.
(Additional reporting by Rakesh Kumar)
