In a historic step towards transparency, accessibility, and inclusion, Fiji’s Ministry of Finance has, for the first time, published the Citizens’ Guide to the 2025/2026 National Budget in English, iTaukei, and Hindi. The landmark initiative aims to ensure that every citizen – regardless of language or location – can understand how government spending decisions affect their daily lives.
Launching the guide today, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Hon. Professor Biman Prasad, said the move marks “yet another significant milestone” in efforts to make the National Budget more accessible and transparent for all Fijians.
The 20-page guide presents the government’s revenue, expenditure, and policy priorities in clear, straightforward language. It breaks down complex economic data and fiscal strategies into easy-to-read sections covering health, education, infrastructure, and other key sectors, alongside economic forecasts and the medium-term fiscal outlook.
“This initiative reflects our deep commitment to inclusivity and accessibility, ensuring that our elders, students, rural communities and citizens can understand the National Budget – what it is, why it matters and how it impacts their daily lives,”
Professor Prasad said.
He stressed that the trilingual release is not just a translation project but a symbolic act of respect for Fiji’s cultural diversity.
“It is a statement of respect for our cultural diversity and a reaffirmation that government information belongs to every citizen. By publishing the Citizens’ Budget in our three major languages, we are bridging communication gaps and empowering our people with the knowledge they deserve,”
he added.
The Ministry hopes the guide will encourage more public engagement with national economic planning, empowering communities to hold decision-makers accountable and to better understand how budgetary policies shape the nation’s future.
All three versions of the Citizens’ Guide to the 2025/2026 National Budget are available for free download from the Ministry of Finance website, ensuring that access to this information is as broad and inclusive as possible.
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