SUVA, May 28 (Xinhua) -- Fiji's government is preparing additional measures to cushion households and businesses from the impact of the worsening global fuel crisis, as rising oil prices continue to place pressure on economies worldwide.
In a statement published on the government's Facebook page on Thursday, Minister for Information, Environment and Climate Change Lynda Tabuya said the government has been closely monitoring developments in international oil markets and is working on a new package of financial support measures.
Tabuya said the National Security Council had met to begin preparations aimed at protecting Fijians from further increases in the cost of living.
She stressed that fuel pricing decisions remain independent of government, with the Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission expected to announce new fuel prices for June based on international market data.
Tabuya said the government's role was focused on mitigation rather than setting prices, with the Ministry of Finance finalizing details of a support package to be presented to the cabinet.
The proposed measures are expected to target households, transport operators, small businesses and essential services.
Fiji, like many Pacific island nations, is heavily dependent on imported fuel and remains vulnerable to global oil price shocks and supply disruptions, with rising transport and electricity costs feeding into broader inflationary pressures across the economy. ■
