03 Feb 2015

 Around parliament buildings, an aura of respectability and formality reigned as legislators, stakeholders and the public stealthily focused on Minister of Finance and Development Planning, Mr Kenneth Matambo's budget speech delivery on Februarty 2. 

Moving Parliament Bill No: 1 of 2015, which is the 2015/2016 proposed budget, a bill which legislators are scheduled to debate today (February 4) Mr Matambo expounded in broad strokes on key targets of the budget which some dignitaries affirmed that it fell in the balance as it was compact with key issues necessary to forge the nation’s economy forward.

In an interview, former legislator and prominent Gaborone business man, Mr David Magang said the budget was prudently executed as it entailed prospects of economic diversification.

 “It is straight forward, and I am glad that it explicitly entails private sector reforms which include a reform of labour laws, work permits, immigration laws which are necessary for facilitating a conducive, enabling business environment.”

He said there was nothing that any business could do without assistance from government officials hence it was commendable that the budget had incorporated the needs of the business community in its budget with the intention of digitalising procedures and turning doing business into a one stop shopping centre.

He says that the budget was brilliantly executed but thought it was repetition of what was said in the past adding that implementation of the budget was crucial to realise a picture that was painted by Minister Matambo, “hopefully government will walk the talk,” he said.

United Nations Development Programme Resident Representative, Mr Anders Pedersen, said it was pleasing to hear Minister Matambo make mention of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations which was a fresh initiative which is currently being refined to succeed Millennium Development Goals and they include, “ending poverty in all its forms everywhere, healthy life at all ages for all, quality education and lifelong learning for all, water and sanitation for a sustainable world, mitigate and adapt to climate change and many others.”

Opposition legislator, Mr Dithapelo Keorapetse appreciated the budget for including projects which were waivered during global economic meltdown.  “According to the budget, projects which were shelved will be done,” he said.

Mr Keorapetse suggested that the budget should have adopted new strategies on job creation and provided quantifiable targets.  “The budget lacks quantifiable targets, we expected the budget to state measurable deliverables which will guide us in development,” he said. ENDS