Fiji Times

SUVA, Fiji (May 9, 2008) – We commend acting interim Finance Minister Filipe Bole for his bold step to make life easier for the people of this nation.

By increasing the tax threshold from $9,000 to $15,000 [US$6,072 to $10,120] the minister has provided instant relief to thousands of suffering workers and their families.

It is these workers who are worst affected during financially difficult times such as the nation faces at this particular time.

But Mr Bole has done much more than merely offering tax relief to the people.

He has, on behalf of the interim regime, reduced duty on cheese, goat meat, lamb and breakfast food.

There are also reductions on duty placed on split peas, pork, chicken and beef.

The zero duty on canned fish, tuna and rice means that even those with very little to spend should be able to buy basic food items.

Hopefully this will allow families to put more food on the table and ensure that our young and the members of the nation's workforce report to school or work well-fed and ready to take on their daily challenges.

By reducing the duty on crude oil, the interim administration hopes to ease the burden of the travelling public. At the same time the reduction in duty on fuel should have a direct impact on freight costs and provide relief in the cane belt for farmers who use tractors and lorries.

Mere reduction of duty will have little effect, however, if we continue to import much of our food. The interim Government has offered incentives in the agriculture and micro-business sectors in an effort to boost farming.

This will reap no real reward if the Agriculture Ministry, the Fisheries Department and their colleagues in the Forestry Department do not mount an urgent campaign to encourage rural dwellers to put their land to good use.

For the ultimate goal should be to produce as much food as possible locally for consumers and the hotel industry.

In this way we create an economy which is self-reliant and self-sustaining, reducing the need for help from foreign countries.

Mr Bole's decisive action will be appreciated by the people of this nation.

But he now faces the challenge of ensuring that other state initiatives are put in place to support his bold move. And the interim administration must recognize that while the reduction in prices will placate many, it must not lose sight of the need for the return to democratic government.

Elections, coupled with positive financial policies will ultimately kick-start the much-needed revival of the economy.

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