SUVA, June 5 (Xinhua) -- Remittances have been the largest foreign exchange earner that has helped keep the Fijian economy afloat, said Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabukab during his visit to Samoa over the weekend.

Rabuka made the remarks while meeting with Fijians in Samoa whom he thanked for continuing to send money to family members back home, according to a government statement on Monday.

Rabuka also provided an update on national developments back home.

The prime minister said the government must first deal with big challenges and problems such as the prevailing national debt and diminished economic capacity in the island nation.

He said Fiji was weighed down with a record level of debt and the coalition government aimed to manage this prudently while preserving the ability to meet their commitments to the Fijian people.

The government needed to strengthen basic services such as water supply and roads, as well as infrastructure, which they are trying to do right now, Rabuka said, "This will cause some financial pains but when it is over, Fiji can move forward with confidence."

According to the Reserve Bank of Fiji, the country's central bank, during the COVID-19 pandemic, inward remittances into Fiji peaked at 1 billion Fijian dollars (443 million U.S. dollars) in one year, while December last year recorded the highest remittance into the country in the month, totaling 38 million Fijian dollars (16.8 million U.S. dollars).