Fiji National Budget 2003: building a resilient economy?

Abstract

This paper examines three key issues arising from the 2003 Fiji National Budget: the emphasis on tourism as a driver for economic growth; a 25 per cent increase in the VAT; and the 7 per cent increase in the sugar tax. The authors argue that, rather than increasing taxes, the government should focus on creating a sound investment climate, including secure access to land, which will benefit the tourism and sugar industries, and look to better collection strategies for the taxes that are already in place. Show more