via Govt should widen revenue base – MPs | The Source January 24, 2014
Members of Parliament have urged government to consider other avenues to increase its revenue base as the $4.4 billion budget announced recently will not be enough to stimulate economic growth.
Zimbabwe’s economy is stuttering in the aftermath of a disputed election in July that extended President Robert Mugabe’s 33-year rule and MPs said the 2014 budget does not do enough to stimulate recovery.
Contributing to a debate on the 2014 budget, Hatfield Member of Parliament (MDC-T), Tapiwa Mashakada told the house on Thursday that the budget exceeded what the government’s revenue can accommodate.
Last month, finance minister Patrick Chinamasa presented a national budget of $4.4 billion against $8.9 billion votes.
Over 75 percent or $3.6 billion of the budget will go towards civil servants’ salaries.
“The minister (of finance) has no room to manoeuvre because the revenue base is very low,” Mashakada said.
Mashakada, a former economic planning mister in the inclusive said there was need to augment available revenue generating capacity with foreign direct investment.
“There is no alternative but to re-engage international financial institutions,” he said.
Zimbabwe last July agreed to an International Monetary Fund staff monitoring programme, a major step towards normalising relations after the IMF suspended its voting rights in 2003 over policy differences with President Mugabe and non-payment of arrears.
Mashakada dismissed the projected 6.1 percent growth rate for this year as unachievable as the agricultural sector, a main driver of the economy, was not performing well due to underfunding.
Former finance minister, Tendai Biti (MDC-T MP for Harare East) said that the anticipated growth in the mining sector “does not sustain a growth of 6.1 percent.”
Contributing to the debate, MP for Bikita West (Independent), Munyaradzi Kereke said available resources fall short of what is required.
“At the moment if you tax companies and individuals 100 percent, you will not raise the amount ($4.4 billion),” he said, adding that overtaxing the nation was not a solution.
On industry, he said there was need for a different formula other than protectionism after government proposed stiffer duties on some imported products to protect local companies.
The debate was adjourned at 11PM to January 28 after six hours of discussions.
COMMENTS
Widen the revenue base? This government is a parasite that is slowly killing the host
cut your COST’S is the first step . How can you have 75% of ALL INCOME going to salaries. Foregt looking at revenue COLLECTION , look at EXPENDITURE !!!! crazy people .