Hotuba ya Matumizi ya Bajeti ya Serikali ya Mapinduzi ya Zanzibar 2013/2014 - 658.5bn (2013-14)

Waziri wa Fedha Mh. Omar Yussuf Mzee akisoma Bajeti ya Serikali ya Zanzibar katika Kikao cha Baraza la Wawakilishi.

Waziri wa Nchi Ofisi ya Rais Fedha Uchumi na Mipango ya Maendeleo Omar Yussuf Mzee, hapo juzi aliwasilisha hotuba ya matumizi ya Bajeti ya Serikali kwa mwaka wa Fedha 2013/2014 katika Ukumbi wa Baraza la Wawakilishi Mbweni nje kidogo ya Mji wa Zanzibar.

Soma hotuba kamili hapa: Hotuba ya Bajeti 2013-2014_Zanzibar

Chanzo: ZanzibariYetu

Tanzania: Finance Minister Unveils Sh658.5 Billion Budget for Zanzibar

BY ISSA YUSSUF, 13 JUNE 2013

Zanzibar — ZANZIBAR Minister for Finance, Mr Omar Yussuf Mzee, unveiled a 658.5bn/- budget projecting stable economic growth and falling inflation.

Mr Omar told the House of Representatives that the 2013/2014 budget 'is a social service budget for the people of Zanzibar,' saying economic growth would reach 7.5 per cent this year, up from 6.8 last year.

He said during the fiscal year the government plans to implement 35 programmes, including a new one, and 75 development projects.

He said 305.4bn/- has been earmarked for implementation of the programmes and projects, of which the Zanzibar government will contribute 70bn/- while 235.4bn/- will come from development partners.

The 658.5bn/- budget is an increase of 1.5 per cent from the 2012/2013 budget of 648.9bn/- in which domestic revenue is expected to reach 333.7bn/-, making total domestic revenue to be 338.7bn/-, including 5bn/- expected to be carried forward from the current fiscal year.

"The government expects to receive a total of 277.9bn/- from development partners... and in order to plug the budget gap, the government intends to take various domestic revenue enhancing measures, including adjusting the rates for some taxes and fees to raise 16.7bn/-, hence reduce the budget gap to 25bn/-,' he noted.

The minister announced a review of Value Added Tax (VAT), hotel levy, port service charge, stamp duty, petroleum levy, and change in the road licence payment system, adjustment of driving licence fees, registration of motor vehicles, income tax, and tax exemption adjustments.

"Zanzibar's economic outlook is improving but it requires that we work hard, keep the peace and security to move forward," said Omar in his budget speech. The minister said that a growing economy, plus commitment and minimizing unnecessary expenditure, was the best way to lessen the islands' dependency on donors.

"For example, we want to have enough medicines in all our hospitals by using our own funds," he said. "Zanzibaris should expect relief from inflation, which has been dropping from 14.9 per cent in 2011 down to 9.4 per cent last year, and hope for a further fall to 7.9 per cent this year," the minister said.

He attributed the fall in inflation to easing of global inflationary pressure, improved agricultural production and continued stability of the Tanzanian currency. Mr Omar said that the government earmarked 17.5bn/- for reviewing civil servants' benefits, including salaries, and that in recognition of the contribution of the House, improvements have also been made to the emoluments of members of the House.

He said almost 50 per cent of the 2013/2014 budget would be generated locally through tourism, agriculture, exports and improved revenue collection. The minister pointed out that improvement in water, health and education sectors remains the government's priority in the next fiscal year and that the government was serious in fighting unemployment by encouraging unemployed youths to join farming or engage in business.

The minister added that the government would purchase modern farming equipment, including tractors and fishing boats for youths.

Source: allAfrica