FINANCE minister Patrick Chinamasa has been urged to present a pro-poor budget in light of the worsening economic environment when he unveils the 2014 national budget in Parliament this afternoon. JUNIOR MOYO OWN CORRESPONDENT
The Labour and Economic Development Research Institute of Zimbabwe director Godfrey Kanyenze said the budget should improve the financial services sector and social protection to boost the economy’s productivity.
“The budget should provide better financial services. As you can see the situation with the banks right now (is cause for concern),” Kanyenze said.
“It should also include social protection as you know that 2,2 million people are facing starvation,” he said.
The Bulawayo United Residents’ Association chairperson Winos Dube said they expected a budget with favourable indications that would enable a better environment for workers.
“We hope the budget will take care of civil servants as their salaries have been talked about for a long time with nothing being done.
“We also hope for the revival of industries in Bulawayo to boost the job market and reduce high unemployment,” Dube said.
Renowned economist John Robertson said the budget should provide proper royalties in mining to improve income flows and introduce enabling policies that would attract investment into the country.
