A $50 million agreement between the Ministry of Economy and European Union will help sustain rural livelihood programs over the next three years. [Source: EU Pacific]

A $50 million agreement between the Ministry of Economy and the European Union will help sustain rural livelihood programs over the next three years.

EU Ambassador for the Pacific Sujiro Seam says the COVID-19 pandemic has forced people to go back to farming to literally put food on the table and it is important that their budget support focuses on these families.

Seam says the $50m financing agreement will focus on critical sectors.

“This money will support the efforts undertaken by the Government of Fiji to reform the agricultural sector and implement the new strategy. The new strategy will aim at creating value, creating job opportunities, diversifying, coping with the challenges of climate change as well. So it is your chance to develop a rich, diverse and smart agricultural sector”.

Economy Minister Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum acknowledged the support of the EU, saying it will help sustain our ailing economy.

“This is not the first time they are providing support to us in terms of direct budget support. They have done this before, and obviously it’s an indication, it an affirmation of the fact that they have confidence in the way we manage our economy, the way that we manage our financial system”.

The Economy Minister says there has been a huge change in the agriculture sector last two years.

[Source: EU Pacific]

He adds the agriculture sector is a key component of the export market.

EU Ambassador for the Pacific Sujiro Seam also applauded the efforts of the Government in their fight against COVID-19 pandemic.