BY PHUMZILE NDLOVU
MBABANE – EmaSwati have been invited to make their contributions towards the preparation of the 2024–2025 National Budget by the Ministry of Finance and the Planning and Budgeting Committee (PBC).
The Ministry of Finance made the announcement today where they called for the nations to make their contribution. The Ministry of Finance, on their page, shared a statement that read, The Ministry of Finance, the PBC, which is the committee responsible for coordinating the preparation of the national budget, has appreciated the call for the participation of the public in the preparation of the national budget. This call comes after the Sibaya submissions.
However, the ministry lamented the fact that while they appreciate how important the exercise is and that it is close to their hearts; unfortunately they will not be able to undertake the public consultations before the conclusions of 2024/2025. The ministry shared that, due to the fact that last year was an election year, it shortened the period over which they normally prepare the budget.
The ministry highlighted the need to accommodate other equally important activities, like the induction of the new Members of Parliament (MPs) and cabinet and some government processes and government functions that affected the budget calendar.
The ministry also stated that there was a need to engage more extensively with line ministries to ensure that their budget proposals were aligned with the Sibaya submissions.
Three PBC ministries, working together with the Ministry of Tinkhundla, are working on a programme to ensure that this exercise is conducted at a date yet to be revealed this year to inform the preparation for the next financial year, 2025-2026.
EmaSwati are invited to take advantage of the following digital platforms to share their contributions towards the preparations of the 2024–2025 national budget on Facebook and their ministry website.
@Eswatini Goverment Ministry of Finance Eswatini | https://www.gov.sz | info@pbceswatini.net
Emaswati will be informed in due course of the proposed timelines and logistical arrangements for conducting the physical public engagements later this year,as soon as the planning has been finalised.
