26 Nov 2010

Tight security as Fiji's budget is presented

11:03 am on 26 November 2010

Security has been increased in Suva today for the presentation of the Fiji budget.

Police say traffic is being diverted until the acting interim finance minister, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, has completed the budget announcement in a waterfront hotel.

Fiji has this year seen a rebound in tourism, especially with more visitors from Australia and New Zealand, but the key sugar industry has been hit by a decline in production.

The budget was to be presented by the interim finance minister, Commodore Frank Bainimarama, but he won't be back in time from China after he extended his visit twice.