Q FM Africa's Modern Radio
Finance Minister Alexander Chikwanda has reiterated government’s commitment that economic policies for 2016 and for the term will be anchored on fiscal consolidation, policy consistency and economic stability.
Mr Chikwanda says this is in order to provide an environment for investment,job creation and wealth creation.
He says in this regard, the public is encouraged to submit proposals and ideas not only on tax and non-tax policies, but also on public expenditure policies whose target should be to facilitate achievement of the country’s economic and poverty reduction goals.
Mr Chikwanda says the proposals will form the basis for some of the fiscal policies in the 2016 National Budget and the 2016 – 2018 Medium Term Expenditure Framework [MTEF].
And Secretary to the Treasury Fredson Yamba has said the government is concerned with the touting of mis-information on tax and budget matters in Zambia, including from some analysts representing foreign and international organisations.
Mr Yamba says the current budget consultation process avails the public an opportunity to engage with interest groups and the government to ensure that there is harmony in government understanding of what needs to be done to better the lives of the citizens.
He says to render credibility to the analyses and proposals from the development interest groups, they should to hold public forums at which their unabridged budget proposals should be availed to interested citizens and to the media before being forwarded to the Ministry.
This is contained in a statement issued by ministry of Finance public relations officer Chileshe Kandeta.