Minister for Foreign Affairs, Defence and National Security, Inia Seruiratu

Security is important for economic growth.

There will only be economic growth if the environment is safe and investor friendly.

While responding to the 2019-2020 budget, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Defence and National Security, Inia Seruiratu says it’s crucial to create a conducive environment to allow investors to move into the country.

Seruiratu says his ministry is one of the four ministries that received an increased allocation of $16.5million of which $15.5million for operating expenditure and $700,000 for capital expenditure.

He adds the government budget allocation of $11.7m towards the After Care fund for veterans have been re-allocated to the Defense ministry.

“The move is timely and appropriate as this will ensure that the integration of the support and the system to our deserving serviceman and women, the allocation of $200,000 to progress the upgrading of the national war memorial project is another initiative by this government in recognition of their selfless sacrifice.”

Seruiratu says the ministry is currently reviewing the Fiji Police Act and is working on reviewing the RFMF Act soon in collaboration with the New Zealand government.

He adds the ministry is also working on enhancing work against security threats in the region which includes climate change, cybersecurity threats, human and drug trafficking to name a few.