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Chinamasa's 2017 budget highlights

by Staff Reporter
08 Dec 2016 at 10:10hrs | Views
Finance Minister Patrick Chinamasa  on Thursday presented a $4,1 billion budget proposal for 2017.

Chinamasa said growth is projected to be at 1,7% and inflation at 1,1% from a negative 1,5% in 2016.

Below  are the highlights :
Growth is projected at 1.7%, from 0.6% estimated in 2016;
• Agriculture and mining to drive overall growth with sector growth of 12% and 0.9%
respectively in 2017;
• Inflation projected at 1.1%, from a negative 1.5% in 2016.
• Total revenues are projected at US$3.7 billion;
• Total expenditures are projected at US$4.1 billion;
• Financing gap of $400 million.
• Government wage bill takes US$3.0 billion in 2017;
• Capital expenditure amounts US$520 million, which is 3.6% of GDP;
• Trade deficit of US$1.537 billion, compared to US$1.985 billion in 2016;
• Debt stock at US$11.2 billion as at 31 October 2016, which is 79% of GDP.

Tax Relief Measures
• VAT exemption for mobile banking services.
• Ring fence importation of 30 luxury buses per annum.
Efficiency in Tax Administration
• Measures to enhance tax administration targeting regulation of clearing agents and
tax consultants as well as publishing of the penalty loading model.
• Introduction of tax incentives for companies operating in Special Economic Zones.
• Support measures for SMEs through downward revision of presumptive taxes,
facilitation of tax registration, ring-fencing resources to capitalise the Small and
Medium Enterprises Development Corporation.


Tax Proposals
Support to Industry
• Upward review of duty on textiles in order to level the playing field.
• Rebate of duty on selected raw materials in order to enhance the competitiveness of
domestic industry.
• Removal of luggage ware, wheat flour and school uniforms from the Open General
Import Licence.
Revenue Enhancing Measures
• Additional suppliers to be licenced to supply fiscalised devices;
• Tightening existing legislative loopholes relating to the taxation of intangibles, general
administration and management fees between associated companies, dividends
arising from disallowed interest expenses and a permanent establishment.
• Standard rating of meat products, rice, margarine and potatoes.
• Introduction of heath fund levy of 5 cents for every dollar of airtime and  mobile data.



Source - Byo24News