As families across Fiji begin to unpack the details of the 2025-26 National Budget, a collective sigh of relief and a sense of hope are emerging.

The government plans a significant expansion of its tertiary scholarship and loans scheme, aiming to sponsor over 13,000 new students in the upcoming financial year.

The Ministry of Agriculture is prioritizing the development of comprehensive plans to improve surveillance of insect populations and pest activity, especially in the livestock sector.

The Coalition Government has boosted iTaukei funding by $41 million to support education, economic growth, and cultural preservation.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Communications Manoa Kamikamica is calling on Fijians to stop raising e-ticketing complaints on Facebook and instead report them formally with evidence.

The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance highlighted the significant threats posed to national stability by prolonged trade tensions, volatile commodity markets, and ongoing geopolitical instability.

The Fiji Hotel and Tourism Association has commended the government’s prioritization of people-focused policies in the new budget, noting a clear commitment to the needs of everyday Fijians.

The Ministry of Fisheries and Forestry will now be able to enhance its initiatives and expand service extensions to better support sustainable practices and community development.

While the government’s intentions to support ordinary Fijians were made clear in yesterday’s national budget announcement, the real challenge now lies in ensuring that this support reaches the most vulnerable.

A National Price Monitoring Taskforce will be established to safeguard consumer interests.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Professor Biman Prasad says the government is strictly focused on strong transparency and rigorous oversight of its spending.

The Ministry of Trade, Cooperatives, MSMEs, and Communications has taken a steep $35 million budget cut, yet Deputy Prime Minister Manoa Kamikamica says the $85 million allocation remains fit to drive economic goals.