Business / Economy
2012 national budget set to commence
15 Oct 2011 at 06:02hrs | Views
Consultations for the 2012 national budget are set to commence next Monday with the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Budget, Finance and Investment Promotion embarking on public hearings throughout the country, ZBC News reported.
Following the presentation to parliament of the Budget Strategy Paper (BSP) that provides the macro-economic framework guiding the 2012 national budget, consultations are set to commence next Monday.
The Finance Ministry pledged to use the Budget Strategy Paper as a framework for engaging all key local stakeholders such as the private sector, development partners and civil society during the preparation of the 2012 national budget as well as providing indicative spending ceilings for 2013 and 2014.
In a telephone interview, Chairperson of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Budget, Finance and Investment Promotion, Cde Paddy Zhanda said the national budget consultations which are mandated by the Public Finance Management Act are crucial in ensuring participation, accountability and transparency.
"Fortunately, this year government has provided a budget strategy which gives us guidelines for our consultations. It's important that we consult so that the public view is taken into account. We believe the budget is the most important national policy debated in parliament and consultations help ensure transparency and accountability in the use of the country's resources," said Cde Zhanda.
The consultations will run from Monday the 17th to Friday 21st of October at various centres across the country.
Stakeholders have been encouraged to seize the opportunity and participate meaningfully in the 2012 budget
Following the presentation to parliament of the Budget Strategy Paper (BSP) that provides the macro-economic framework guiding the 2012 national budget, consultations are set to commence next Monday.
The Finance Ministry pledged to use the Budget Strategy Paper as a framework for engaging all key local stakeholders such as the private sector, development partners and civil society during the preparation of the 2012 national budget as well as providing indicative spending ceilings for 2013 and 2014.
"Fortunately, this year government has provided a budget strategy which gives us guidelines for our consultations. It's important that we consult so that the public view is taken into account. We believe the budget is the most important national policy debated in parliament and consultations help ensure transparency and accountability in the use of the country's resources," said Cde Zhanda.
The consultations will run from Monday the 17th to Friday 21st of October at various centres across the country.
Stakeholders have been encouraged to seize the opportunity and participate meaningfully in the 2012 budget
Source - ZBC News
