Maravi

Govt seeks to cushion Zambians from global economic crisis

Govt seeks to cushion Zambians from global economic crisis
Written by Chibaula Silwamba in Mungwi
Sunday, January 11, 2009 9:25:11 AM

FINANCE and national planning deputy minister Chileshe Kapwepwe has assured that this year's national budget will try to find ways of cushioning the impact of the global economic crisis on Zambia.

In an interview on Wednesday, Kapwepwe said her ministry was finalising the budget and it would be presented this month-end.

"We are scheduled to present the budget on the last Friday of January as per normal and we are on course for that," Kapwepwe said. "The budget is being prepared in the backdrop of an economic global crisis that is affecting us but more than that, I can't comment. We are still compiling the figures."

Asked whether the government would maintain the taxes on mining companies such as the windfall taxes, Kapwepwe declined to comment.

Some Zambians have observed that some mining companies were laying off workers so that they compel the government to scrap off the windfall taxes, which they have been opposed to since they were effected last year.

Labels: 2009 BUDGET, CHILESHE KAPWEPWE, GREAT DEPRESSION II, WINDFALL TAX

posted by MrK @ 9:26 AM