“The 2022 budget will continue to operate under the shadow of covid-19 as the fight against the pandemic as countries continue to experience increasing positive cases around the globe and region,” says Prime Minister and Acting Minister of Finance and Treasury Manasseh Sogavare.
This means health and economic challenges still remains critical for small economies like Solomon Islands.
Regardless of this threat, Sogavare said the government is doing its best to ensure our borders are protected at all times, while at the same time continue to increase efforts to keep our economy afloat, and ensuring key essential services continued to be delivered to people.
He said one of the best ways to assist our economic recovery is to get vaccinated quickly so that the Government can be able to reopen our borders to bolster our trade.
“I call on every public servants and the good people of Solomon Islands to support the government’s vaccination roll out program, and get yourself and families vaccinated to reach our target of 90 percent full vaccination before the end of this year,” he said.
“This would allow the government to reopen our borders and lift travel restrictions to allow international trade and boost economic activities in our domestic economy,” Sogavare added.
The Budget 2022 is the government’s fiscal plan towards building our economic resilience as a nation which requires Permanent Secretaries, Financial Controllers and Heads of Divisions to work closely with your Budget Committees during the formulation of the 2022 budget in the coming weeks, in consultation with central budget ministries.
“I expect all to read and strictly adhere to the framework and guiding rules outlined in this Strategy. I encourage you all to keep up the momentum, ensure to work smarter with due diligence and to give your best,” Sogavare said.
The launch on Monday 18 October was attended by Ministers, Members of Parliament, and senior government officials and developments partner representatives.
-GCU Press