Litia Cava 
[Photo: File]
Fiji is set to receive about $1.5 billion in Australian development financing over 10 years.
The funding will support infrastructure, climate resilience, health and efforts to combat transnational crime.
Permanent Secretary for Finance Shiri Goundar said the financing would provide Fiji with greater certainty in planning and delivering major projects.
He explained that the package includes about $1 billion in grants and $500 million in loans, giving the government more room to invest despite limited fiscal space and high debt levels.
Goundar said the grant component was particularly important because it will not add to Fiji’s debt.
The funding is expected to support major infrastructure projects, including Nadi River flood alleviation, shipbuilding and climate-resilient infrastructure.
About $228 million in grants and $550 million in loans has been identified for infrastructure development and climate resilience.
The health sector is also expected to receive $158 million, while $284 million is earmarked for the fight against transnational crime and illicit drugs.
Goundar said the Australian funding would also help Fiji attract additional financing from multilateral institutions such as the Asian Development Bank and World Bank.
He adds that the $1.5 billion should not be viewed only as a financing package, as the wider economic benefits of stronger infrastructure, safer communities and greater economic resilience could be much larger.
