2018 budget has taken shape, says Mutati

Wed, 16 Aug 2017 09:10:45 +0000

By BUUMBA CHIMBULU

THE shape of the 2018 national budget has been formed following the overwhelming response from stakeholders who have continued to make submissions on the plan, says Finance Minister Felix Mutati.

And the minister disclosed that the 2018 national budget will have a mixture of taxes; some will increase, others will be lower while some will remain the same.

Speaking in an interview recently in Kasama, Mr. Mutati said Government had received overwhelming response from stakeholders countrywide concerning the 2018 national budget. Mr. Mutati said the new process Government was using to engage stakeholders on the budget which allowed it to respond to the submissions there and then had proved to be productive.

He said Government was able to explain to stakeholders some of the constraints it had in formulating the budget.

“So the response has been overwhelming because stakeholders are saying we are now being heard and know why some things are not there in the budget. We also understand the limitations that we have as Government and the constraints,

“At the time of engagement, the explanation is being given so eventually we have got the shape of the 2018 budget which will now have to be synchronised with the revenue side and the wish list,” he said.

Mr. Mutati said Government had so far engaged with Civil Society Organisations (CSO) among other stakeholders.

He said Government would during this week engage with the accountants who had various experience in all types of taxes.

And Mr. Mutati said the 2018 national budget would have a mixture of taxes aimed at raising domestic revenue following the low support from cooperating partners.