Lipenga to unveil Malawi budget on Friday
Malawi’s Minister of Finance Ken Lipenga will present his 2013/14 budget statement to parliament on Friday an annual budget likely to stick firmly to Joyce Banda government’s austerity drive as the country’s economy continue to heal.
Speaker of Parliament Henry Chimunthu Banda said the government’s purse keeper will present the budget on Friday afternoon.
“After the business committee meeting, it was agreed that from Monday to Friday morning, we will debate the State of the-Nation-Address by President Joyce Banda. On the same day, the Finance Minister will present the budget statement.
“From Monday 27 to 14 June, we will have general debate on the budget statement. On June 20, we will go into the Committee of Supply stage with the Appropriation Bill scheduled to be passed by June 25,” said Chimunthu Banda.
According to Lipenga, that the focus of the Banda government in the budget will be to continue with the acceleration of economic growth and social development, with emphasis on macroeconomic stability and preserving the conditions that are conducive to attracting investment, expanding and upgrading physical infrastructure, expanding access and improving the quality of social services.
He said the 2013/14 budget will aim at “enhancing the healing of the economy.”
The budget is also expected to cover the K5.7 billion (about $14.2m) civil servants salary increment on top of the annual pay rise as well as funds meant for the 2014 Tripartite Elections.
Other items on the agenda of Parliament include, confirmation of the new auditor general Peter Kamange as well as several bills.
“There are 23 bills to be presented to during this seating. Other than this, we will at one time hear committee and delegation reports and questions,” said Chimunthu Banda.
