NewsDay gives you live updates of the 2019 Budget proposal where Finance minister Mthuli Ncube delivers his maiden national budget statement in which he is expected to calm a spooked market and reassure the nation that the tanking economy can still be saved. The Budget comes at a time when prices of goods and services have gone up significantly while foreign currency stocks are declining, resulting in shortages of fuel and other basic commodities.
Updates by Tinotenda Samukange,Veneranda Landa,Ronald Magweta and Fidelity Mhlanga
Agriculture & Food Security
Development and transformation of the country is, to a larger extent dependent on our capacity and ability to produce and attain food security.
Furthermore, agriculture is a critical sector which sustains the rest of industry and contributes significantly to livelihoods, employment and export earnings for the country.
Therefore, the 2019 Budget prioritises support through facilitation of partnership with financial institutions in credit financing to our farmers under government schemes and contract farming as well as support to vulnerable households.
The Budget supports irrigation development,mechanisation and subsidy arrangements in grain marketing.
The other specific measures are as follows:
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- Roll out the revised 99 Year lease to facilitate private sector financing to the rest of the farmers;
- Adopt measures that address low productivity in agriculture,including addressing land utilisation;
- Dealing with price distortions by benchmarking to import parity;
Public Finances
Revenue collections for the nine months to September 2018 amounted to US$3.8 billion, against a target of US$3.4 billion, and by year end, collections of US$5.5 billion are anticipated.
On the other hand, total expenditures during the same period stood at US$6.5 billion, against a target of US$4.1 billion.
Accordingly, expenditure outturn to year end is estimated at US$8.2 billion against a budget of US$5.3 billion, implying an expenditure overrun of US$2.8 billion.
The 2018 Budget Deficit is projected at US$2.86 billion (11.7% of GDP), against a target of US$793 million.(Mthuli Ncube)
The month on month deficit developments, however, confirme that for the month of September 2018, the deficit level narrowed sharply. Hence, confirming that a balanced Budget position is achievable.
16:04 With effect from tomorrow, duty on cars will be paid in foreign currency.
16:03 The ghost workers on govt payroll are to be flashed out by initiating a bio-metric data capture for all employees starting Jan 1, 2019. The bio-metric exercise is going to be done at a fast pace.
15:27 Primary objective of 2019 budget is stabilising economy and will focus on quick wins to stimulate growth and job creation. Budget will prioritise infrastructural growth and job creation.
As we are all aware, Government, under the New Dispensation set out a long term goal of transforming the country into an Upper Middle Income Society – Vision 2030.
To achieve this Vision, Government developed a short term stabilisation strategy – the Transitional Stabilisation Programme (October 2018 – December 2020), which is already under implementation.
The Transitional Stabilisation Programme`s immediate objective is macro and fiscal stabilisation and laying a solid foundation for attaining the triple ‘S’ growth – strong, sustainable (Mthuli Ncube)
Such growth will be anchored on good governance and promotion of democratic principles, equitable access to means and outcomes of production, as well as modern infrastructure that supports day to day socio-economic activities.
Further, strong, sustainable and shared growth will enable us to achieve efficient delivery of public services and the restoration of Zimbabwe’s rightful place in the region and global economy.
The 2019 Budget, therefore, constitutes an initial policy and financial instrument for implementing the Transitional Stabilisation Programme by powering the respective drivers for change and development.
Specific interventions in the Budget were informed by various contributions received through stakeholder consultations, including through social media platforms.(Mthuli Ncube)
15:22 Mthuli Ncube has finally started his address, saying it will deal with fiscal indiscipline through using austerity measures.
15:16 Zanu PF MPs now filling up opposition benches for budget to resume.
15:13 President Mnangagwa just sat and watched female MPs being pushed out by the police. Its almost 20 minutes now and the #ZimBudget2019 is yet to resume.
14:54 MDC Alliance MPs refuse to stand up as President Mnangagwa enters. Speaker Mudenda orders them out of the House.
14:50 Vice Presidents Constantino Chiwenga and Kembo Mohadi are already seated for #ZimBudget2019 presentation.
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