SUVA, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- The Fijian government has collected a total of 250 million Fijian dollars (about 117 million U.S. dollars) so far from the Service Turnover Tax (STT) and Environment and Climate Adaptation Levy (ECAL).

Newly appointed Fijian Tourism Minister Premila Kumar said in the Parliament on Wednesday that this particular fund was directed towards climate adaptation programs, so that the island nation's tourism sector was sustainable.

The Minister said that she planned to increase investments, growth of the Fijian economy and create more jobs for youths and she would continue building on what her predecessors have done.

Fiji's ECAL is a tax on prescribed services, items and income. ECAL helps fund critical work across Fiji to protect the natural environment, reduce carbon footprint, and adapt the island nation's economy, communities and infrastructure to the worsening impacts of climate change.

Fiji is a nation on the frontlines of climate change and has been experiencing stronger and more frequent cyclones.

Rising sea levels are forcing some Fijian communities to relocate, and changing weather patterns pose a serious threat to food security.

Tourists spending time and paying ECAL in Fiji will help the Fijian government secure Fiji's future by boosting resilience to these devastating climate impacts across a broad front. Enditem

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