CSOs want 2017 budget to raise GDP to 8%

A Consortium of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) says the 2017 national budget should lead the economy back to the high GDP growth rate of about 7 to 8% per annum at the earliest possible time.

The CSOs have also proposed that the pay as you earn (PAYE) threshold should be revised upwards to K3, 500 considering that the cost of living has drastically increased with the cost of essential good rising, and thereby reducing the ability of citizens to access them.

Speaking during a public hearing on tax and non-tax proposals for Zambia’s 2017 National Budget, Caritas Zambia Programme Specialist for Economic and Social accountability Edmond Kangamungazi says turn over tax should also be implemented on the informal sector as this will result in increased revenue from the many traders and encourage compliance to locations and hygiene matters.

Mr. Kangamungaziadds that CSOs also want withholding of tax on rentals to be categorized according to value of property and the number of property an individual owns.                     

The Consortium consists the Civil Society for Poverty Reduction (CSPR), the Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflections (JCTR) and Caritas Zambia.