By SHALENDRA PRASAD
Nadi, Fiji – The Nadi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI) in partnership with Dialogue Fiji hosted its National Budget Forum on Friday evening at the Tanoa Skylodge Hotel, bringing together government officials, panellists and business leaders to discuss the implications of Fiji’s 2026/27 National Budget for the Western Division.
Delivering the welcome remarks, NCCI President Lawrence Kumar thanked Honourable Minister for Finance Esrom Immanuel for travelling from Suva to attend the event, along with panellists from Dialogue Fiji and Chamber members present.
“We are equally grateful to our distinguished panellists, who have set aside precious time from very demanding schedules to share their insight with us tonight,” Kumar said.
“Your presence here reflects a genuine commitment to keeping the Western Division at the centre of the national conversation, and for that, we thank you.”
Kumar acknowledged the difficult global and domestic conditions shaping this year’s Budget, pointing to international conflict, fuel price shocks and ongoing challenges in the sugar industry.
Despite these pressures, he said the government had chosen a path of responsibility over short-term popularity.
“The government has delivered a budget that chooses people over populism,” he said.
“Choosing not to raise VAT, income tax, or corporate tax during a cost-of-living crisis is not the easy path — it is the responsible one.”
The NCCI President highlighted continued relief measures for ordinary Fijians, including duty concessions on essentials such as rice, flour and cooking items, free education and transport assistance, and planned easing of fuel prices.
“This is, in every sense, a people’s budget,” Kumar said. “It is a budget that looks a difficult global moment squarely in the eye, and still finds room to invest in our hospitals, our roads, our water systems, and our future.”
He noted the particular significance of the Forum for the Western Division, describing the region as the engine of Fiji’s tourism, aviation and agriculture sectors, and said the event offered a chance for local voices to be heard.
“So tonight, we say vinaka vakalevu to our government for steering Fiji through turbulent waters with resolve,” Kumar said.
- “We look forward to an evening of honest, constructive dialogue between government and business, in the true spirit of partnership that will move F
NCCI president Mr Lawrence Kumar.
iji forward — together.”
The National Budget Forum forms part of NCCI’s ongoing engagement with the government on policies affecting businesses and communities in Nadi and the wider Western Division.
ENDS
