Business / Economy
Zimbabweans want the national budget to prioritise food security says Biti
29 Oct 2012 at 15:11hrs | Views
Finance Minister Tendai Biti says consultations which have been going on have revealed that Zimbabweans want the national budget to prioritise food security, provision of basic services and economic growth.
Minister Biti, who was speaking at the 2013 national budget consultation meeting in Harare, said Zimbabweans want people driven policies to address social and economic problems.
He said Zimbabweans have made it clear that they want a budget that ensures a common vision by all stakeholders to address lack of capital to finance agriculture, tourism and health sectors.
Representatives of the business community highlighted the need for the budget to look at the rehabilitation of infrastructure, removal of import duty on raw materials and the need to stimulate local industry production while those in the mining sector support the reduction in royalties.
Mr Biti is expected to present the 2013 budget on the 15th of November.
Meanwhile, the Tourism and Hospitality Industry Ministry in conjunction with the Ministry of Information Communication Technology say the 2013 national budget should fund tourism supporting sectors to enable the successful hosting of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) General Assembly.
Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Walter Mzembi says the success of the UNWTO conference, which Zimbabwe co-hosts with Zambia next year will depend on the funding of tourism supporting sectors.
He said funding the conference should be a priority when Finance Minister Tendai Biti presents the 2013 national budget, adding that his ministry has tabled a US$6 million.
The Minister of Information Communication Technology, Mr Nelson Chamisa called for the setting aside of money for communication infrastructure development to enable easy connectivity for all tourists and visitors to the UNWTO event.
Thousands of people from across the globe are expected to descend on Zimbabwe next year for the tourism conference.
Expectations are high that the event will not only boost the tourism industry, but will help the economy grow.
Minister Biti, who was speaking at the 2013 national budget consultation meeting in Harare, said Zimbabweans want people driven policies to address social and economic problems.
He said Zimbabweans have made it clear that they want a budget that ensures a common vision by all stakeholders to address lack of capital to finance agriculture, tourism and health sectors.
Representatives of the business community highlighted the need for the budget to look at the rehabilitation of infrastructure, removal of import duty on raw materials and the need to stimulate local industry production while those in the mining sector support the reduction in royalties.
Mr Biti is expected to present the 2013 budget on the 15th of November.
Meanwhile, the Tourism and Hospitality Industry Ministry in conjunction with the Ministry of Information Communication Technology say the 2013 national budget should fund tourism supporting sectors to enable the successful hosting of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) General Assembly.
Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Walter Mzembi says the success of the UNWTO conference, which Zimbabwe co-hosts with Zambia next year will depend on the funding of tourism supporting sectors.
He said funding the conference should be a priority when Finance Minister Tendai Biti presents the 2013 national budget, adding that his ministry has tabled a US$6 million.
The Minister of Information Communication Technology, Mr Nelson Chamisa called for the setting aside of money for communication infrastructure development to enable easy connectivity for all tourists and visitors to the UNWTO event.
Thousands of people from across the globe are expected to descend on Zimbabwe next year for the tourism conference.
Expectations are high that the event will not only boost the tourism industry, but will help the economy grow.
Source - Zbc
