National Budget: We need realistic estimates, allocations

hardships that have continued to lower livelihoods. 
Put differently, people are expecting some relief from the fiscal authorities and not the usual rhetoric that there is no money.
Instead of expending our energies on how to distribute the cake from the little revenue generated, we need to now concentrate on how to grow the cake, otherwise the entire budget process remains a farce. 
There seems to be too much pre-occupation on budgetary allocations to the various sectors and figures are thrown around with very limited outcomes.
There has been a widespread outcry that most ministries did not get much out of the 2012 revenue budget and indications are that not much is going to change under the given circumstances.
We have revised downwards the country’s economic growth targets, painting a gloomy picture of what really lies ahead of us. 
It is imperative at this stage to refocus and change our strategic thrust and maximise on securitising our mineral resources so that they can be gainfully exploited for the benefit of our economy. 
The minerals, no matter how abundant, are of no value if they remain underground, hence the need to seek value from their potential. 
A lot has been said about this initiative, yet no action has effectively been taken to make this a reality.
It can be done if the will power is there.
Agriculture is another avenue where maximum benefit can be derived if deliberate Government policies are directed towards resuscitation of the sector which will effectively feed into the revival of the manufacturing sector.
Going back a few years, there is evidence that a thriving agricultural sector that does not require huge sums to recapitalise can get us back on the road.
For the past four years we have been operating on a cash budget with very insignificant external support and this has made the job of balancing the figures a nightmare amid accusations that Treasury has not been responsive to the various stakeholders.
What the country basically requires is to effectively get industry functioning again and this will result in reduced imports enabling the limited financial resources we have to circulate internally. 
The prevailing situation where many prefer imports over locally produced goods is unsustainable and will not definitely grow this economy.  
There is a basic economic interpretation that for as long as we continue importing goods for consumption, there is no way that we will be able to generate adequate revenue for our expenditure needs. 
Resources for infrastructure development suffer the most as they are easily diverted yet they are key enablers for economic turnaround efforts. 
Our roads, power generation, water and other key infrastructure will remain in a sorry state if we choose to pursue the tight rope.
The Zimbabwe Chamber of Mines has been lamenting the high fees and levies, the Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce wants tight policies on imports, the National Economic Consultative Forum wants the energy issue to be prioritised, the Buy Zimbabwe Campaign continues to be irked by the high number of imports and the Organised Livestock in Zimbabwe is lobbying for the removal of duty on soya beans, and the list goes on. The wish list is so huge that very few of the expectations will actually be met.
So the call is for Minister Biti to make realistic estimates and allocations.
Basing on the 2012 Budget, it would      have been better if he missed his targets or allocations by 5 to 10 percent and not by      90 percent as was the case for some institutions.
Given that he has widely consulted and is getting the input of various stakeholders, we hope he will be wiser and do things differently this time around.
Minister Biti has a unique responsibility as the country heads towards a watershed election next year.
The economy is desperate for good news.
The resources are there and all that is required is the attendant enabling environment that will improve livelihoods.