The opposition Movement for National Transformation (MNT) says the announced 2019 national budget is not transformative. MNT president Daniel Shimunza says this is because it aims at a lower GDP growth of 4 percent. Mr. Shimunza has told QTV News that his party is of the view that Zambia should be more innovative and aim its economic growth higher than ...

The World Bank has cautioned that the financing of Zambia’s 2019 national budget will be costly. Country economist Zivanemoyo Chinzara says the cost of financing  the Country’s external debt is likely to be higher than it is for the 2018 financial year. Dr. Chinzara says the recent depreciation of the Kwacha against other convertible currencies will also affect the cost ...

President Edgar Lungu has challenged critics to provide an alternative to the announced 2019 national budget if they think it is not good enough. Speaking shortly after arrival from New York where he attended the 73rd UN General Assembly, President Lungu wondered why he should in the first place comment on his own budget. President Lungu has told journalists that ...

Housing and Infrastructure Development Permanent Secretary Charles Mushota says the 2019 national budget has given hope to the construction sector. Mr. Mushota says with the K6.5 billion allocated to the road sector in particular, there is now impetus by the Ministry to continue with the implementation of various road construction projects. In an interview with QTV News, Mr. Mushota has ...

Opposition United Party for National Development (UPND) Mazabuka Central Member of Parliament Garry Nkombo says the 2019 national budget is as cosmetic as the previous budgets that have been presented in the past years. Mr. Nkombo told journalists at parliament buildings that the budget is sugar coated to make citizens feel as though things will get better, when the worst ...

The Economics Association of Zambia (EAZ) has welcomed the abolition and replacement of the Value Added Tax (VAT) with the Non-Refundable Sales Tax. EAZ president Lubinda Habaazoka says his association is happy with the introduction of the Non-Refundable Sales Tax proposed by the Finance Minister in the 2019 budget as it will close leakages in terms of VAT refunds. Dr. ...