Govt has injected at least $2 billion into the development of rural areas since 2007 - AG

Attorney General and Minister for Economy Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum has highlighted in parliament that government has injected at least $2 billion into the development of the rural areas since 2007.

Sayed-Khaiyum revealed this after SODELPA MP Jese Saukuru questioned the Minister to advise Parliament on what plans Government has in place to combat the issue of urban drift.

SODELPA MP Jese Saukuru

The Minister says there are a number developments that government has embarked on in the rural areas.

Sayed-Khaiyum says in the 2017/2018 financial year, government spent over $350 million for the rural economy compared to less than $50 million in the years prior to the Bainimarama government.

He says government is now spending seven times more in the rural areas annually.

When further questioned by Saukuru if government is looking at providing packages for tourism, or having trading centres in the rural areas, Sayed-Khaiyum says it is one thing to say let’s have trading centres but we need to have trade around it for people to have access to funds.