The Minister of Finance and
Economic Affairs, Honourable Simplex Chithyola-Banda, on Monday, 13th
January 2025, launched pre-budget consultative meetings in Lilongwe with a view
to solicit input from different stakeholders such as the business community,
NGOs, faith-based organizations, the youth and academia, among others.
The initiative aims to gather diverse perspectives and proposals for inclusion in the 2025/2026 national budget.
In his statement, the
Minister highlighted that the upcoming budget would rely on domestic revenue
sources including taxes to finance various socio-economic projects.
He then stressed the
importance of national collaboration to identify strategic areas to unlock
Malawi’s natural resources and foster economic growth to meet the country's
development needs.
“Drafting a national budget
is a shared responsibility,” Chithyola-Banda emphasized. “I challenge all of
you to contribute meaningful ideas that will help the formulation of an
inclusive budget that mirrors our collective aspirations,” he added.
Acknowledging the country's
current economic challenges, the Minister called for joint practical and
tangible solutions to overcome the hardships.
The consultative process
will continue across the regions as the Government further seeks to build a budget
aligned with the needs and goals of all Malawians.
BY THOKOZANI CHIWAYA