Mwanakatwe to Present 2019 Budget Today

Finance Minister Margaret Mwanakatwe is this afternoon expected to present the 2019 National Budget at a time the country is grappling with unique economic challenges.

Mwanakatwe will have the responsibility to inspire not only the confidence of the investment community but also the citizenry that has been grumbling about the deteriorating economic circumstances.

Citizens have been grumbling about the tax situation but the ever colourful Mwanakatwe will have to put everything into context for the citizens to tag along.

There could also be expectations on some measure of relief for the citizenry from traditional budgetary pronouncements.

The more economically exposed will have their eyes fixated on how much of the budget will be dedicated to raising domestic revenue while also the external budget support will also come into focus.

It will also be her first time presenting the budget with the added flavour of being the second ever lady Finance Minister since Edith Nawakwi under the reign of Frederick Chiluba.

Last year then Finance Minister Felix Mutati unveiled a K71.6 billion or 25.9% of GDP.

In his Budget speech to Parliament Mutati has set out a K49 billion or 68.5 percent of the total budget being financed by domestic revenues and K2.4 billion or 3.4 percent by grants from various co-operating partners.