admin
Patrick Chitumba in Victoria Falls
FINANCE Minister Cde Patrick Chinamasa is going to delay the announcement of the 2014 national budget as he is still making consultations. Over the years, ministers of Finance would announce the national budget around mid-November but Cde Chinamasa said this year’s budget presentation would be made in December.
Speaking at a pre-budget seminar in Victoria Falls on Saturday, Cde Chinamasa said he was still consulting with all stakeholders in preparation for the final budget statement to be announced on a date to be advised.
“I am not going to announce the 2014 national budget in November. I need time to think because I want to do things differently this time. Maybe I will announce in December, but we are in no hurry to do so since we have until 31 January next year to announce the budget,” he said.
Cde Chinamasa, however, said the budget would be based on the Government’s recently crafted economic recovery plan.
“The 2014 national budget is guided by the Zimbabwe Agenda for Sustainable Socio Economic Transformation (Zim Asset) which seeks to reverse the economic slowdown and reposition the economy back on a sustainable growth trajectory.
Zim Asset is premised on a number of priority areas among them food security and nutrition. This is with a view of creating self-sufficiency and food supplies through ensuring adequate funding of agriculture, paying attention to timely supply of inputs, marketing arrangements and enhanced irrigation systems for all year production,” he said.
Cde Chinamasa said in order to meet the macroeconomic and budget framework targets anchored on an annual average Gross Domestic Product growth of around seven percent for the period 2014 to 2018, it would be essential that the country fully leverages a number of opportunities.
Among them is the availability of arable land for agriculture, mineral resources, tourism attractions, skilled human base and goodwill from international cooperating partners for sustainable turnaround and growth of the economy.
“Furthermore, external support and investment remains essential in complementing current low domestic savings. The existing goodwill of the international community already provides an opportunity for re-engagement with the objective of securing debt relief and unlocking new financing,” said Cde Chinamasa.
The Minister added: “Lastly, successful implementation of Zim Asset, the budget as well as respective sector strategies and programmes require a common vision and unity of purpose among stakeholders.”
He said the Government should guarantee a conducive business environment by adhering to consistent, predictable and credible policies as well as ensuring timely provision of quality infrastructure and other public services.
Online Reporter