delivered in the
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF THE REPUBLIC OF MALAWI
by
THE MINISTER OF FINANCE
HONOURABLE KEN E. KANDODO, MP
at
THE NEW PARLIAMENT BUILDING
LILONGWE
Friday,3rd June, 2011
Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION
CHALLENGES IN 2010/11 FISCAL YEAR
FOREIGN EXCHANGE SITUATION
Measures to be Taken to Improve Foreign Exchange Availability
Establishment of export pre-finance and guarantee scheme
Enhancing export tracking
Encouraging Remittances from Malawians in the Diaspora
Waiver of the 60/40 retention/conversion rule
TOBACCO
FUEL
ENERGY
YOUTH UNEMPLOYMENT
ASSUMPTIONS UNDERLYING THE 2011/12 BUDGET
Global Economic Outlook
Sub-Saharan African Region
Developments in the Malawi Economy
Monetary Sector Performance
FISCAL PERFORMANCE FOR THE 2010/11 BUDGET
Revenues and Grants in 2010/11 Financial Year
Expenditures in 2010/11 Financial Year
ACHIEVEMENTS IN THE 2010/2011 FINANCIAL YEAR
Agriculture and Food Security
Green Belt Irrigation and Water Development
Transport Infrastructure Development and Nsanje World Inland Port
Energy Supply and Generation
Integrated Rural Development
Local Development Fund (LDF)
Education, Science and Technology
Public Health, Sanitation, Malaria and HIV/AIDS Management
PROSPECTS FOR THE 2011/12 BUDGET
Budget Reform Measures in 2011/12 Fiscal Year
Revenues and Grants for the 2011/12 Budget
Expenditure in 2011/12 Fiscal Year
KEY ALLOCATIONS IN THE 2011/12 BUDGET
Public Service Reforms
Agriculture and Food Security
Green Belt Irrigation and Water Development
Education, Science and Technology
Transport Infrastructure and Nsanje World Inland Port Development
Integrated Rural Development
Constituency Development Fund
Local Development Fund
Public Health, Sanitation and HIV/AIDS Management
Youth Development and Sports
Construction of Public Buildings
REVENUE POLICY MEASURES FOR 2011/12 BUDGET
NON TAX REVENUE MEASURES
TAX REVENUE MEASURES
TAX LEGISLATION
TRADE AGREEMENTS
CONCLUSION
MOTION
1. Mr. Speaker, Sir, I beg to move that the Estimates on Recurrent and
Development Accounts for the 2011/12 Budget be referred to the Committee of
the Whole House, be considered Vote by Vote, and that thereafter, be adopted.
INTRODUCTION
2. Mr. Speaker, Sir, I am deeply honored to present to this August House the
budget that will run from 1st July 2011 to 30th June 2012. Time has come when
we must account to the citizens of Malawi what we have achieved since I
presented the 2010/11 budget to this August House. As is traditionally the case, it
is expected of me therefore to provide some highlights of what has been achieved
to date since 1st July last year in the area of economic and public finance
management.
3. Mr. Speaker, Sir, it has now become customary for my Ministry to undertake
pre-budget consultations before coming up with the budget framework. I am
pleased to report to the house that between 6th and 8th April 2011, I undertook
consultations with people from all walks of life in Malawi regarding their
aspirations for the 2011/12 Budget that I am about to present to you today. I
visited Mzuzu in the North, Lilongwe in the Centre, and Blantyre in the South.
These consultations provided me with an opportunity to meet a cross section of
the Business Community, members of the Academia; members of the Civil
Society Organizations, Non-Governmental Organizations, and Faith-Based
Organizations. Subsequently, I also met Members of the following Parliamentary
Committees: Budget and Finance Committee and the Public Appointments and
Declaration of Assets Committee. I also met representatives of the bilateral and
multilateral institutions that are currently providing us with financial and technical
support.
4. I wish to acknowledge that in all these consultations, I received many useful
ideas and contributions that helped us in finalizing the budget and I am grateful for
all the contributions made by the various stakeholders. I am pleased to report that
we have taken on board many of the proposals that we received from the various
contributors. However, I must point out that, in view of the varied nature of the
contributions, it was not possible to incorporate everything in this year’s budget.
As a Ministry, we keep a record of these contributions and we will be considering
any outstanding proposals in future budgets.
5. Let me also pay tribute to officials from my Ministry and those of other
Ministries and Government Departments who worked tirelessly in consolidating
the 2011/12 budget. My gratitude also goes to the Cooperating Partners, both
bilateral and multilateral institutions, for continuously supporting us through
technical and financial assistance. Their support has been invaluable and has made
a difference in the lives of our people over the years.
6. Mr. Speaker, Sir, let me preface my statement by highlighting some of the
achievements made by this Government from July 1st last year under the able
stewardship of His Excellency the State President, Ngwazi Professor Bingu wa
Mutharika and the Democratic Progressive Party. As is traditionally the case,
further details of these achievements are provided in the budget documents which
will be circulated to Honourable Members soon after my presentation.
7. Mr. Speaker, Sir, guided by the requirement to grow by at least 6 percent per
annum as stipulated in the Malawi Growth and Development Strategy, I am
pleased to report to the Honorable House that, since 2004 when His Excellency
the State President Ngwazi Professor Bingu wa Mutharika took over the mantle of
leadership of this country, the Malawi economy has continued to register
unprecedented economic growth rates. Growth in the real Gross Domestic Product
(GDP) has remained above the 6 percent mark which is deemed to be the
threshold for poverty reduction. Indeed, the GDP has averaged 7.6 percent since
2005 and in fact reached remarkable levels of 9.7 percent and 8.9 percent in 2008
and 2009, respectively. The rate of inflation has remained in single digits since
2007 allowing the Bank rate to decline from 15 percent since November 2007 to
13 percent in 2010. As a result, we have managed to keep the Malawi Kwacha
exchange rate relatively stable against the United States Dollar despite the
challenges resulting from the recent global financial and economic turmoil.
8. Mr. Speaker, Sir, our economy has been transformed from being a
perpetually food deficit nation to a food surplus one where Malawians are
guaranteed of food security and incidences of malnutrition and nutritional
disorders continue to dissipate; the number of people living below the poverty line
has declined from 60% in 2004 to less than 40 percent. Both maternal and infant
mortality rates have equally been reducing. In addition, we have made significant
strides in bringing the HIV/AIDS pandemic under control with presently about
350,000 people living with HIV/AIDS receiving free Anti-retroviral Treatment
(ART).
9. On infrastructure development, Mr. Speaker, Sir, I wish to report that we
have constructed and rehabilitated more roads, class room blocks, teachers’
houses, hospitals, clinics, irrigation schemes and boreholes all of which have
improved the quality of life of the ordinary people. It is for this reason that
Malawi is now referred to as a success story and many countries are trying to
learn from us.
CHALLENGES IN 2010/11 FISCAL YEAR
10. Mr. Speaker Sir, before I proceed with my speech, allow me to pay tribute to
the State President for the State of the Nation Address which summarized the State
of the Nation and laid out the principles that will anchor Government policies and
actions for this year’s budget. Therefore, Honourable members might wish to be
advised that this Budget Statement derives from the principles elaborated by the
State President. Allow me at this juncture, Mr. Speaker, Sir, to elaborate in more
detail and specificity some challenges that we have faced in the implementation of
the 2010/11 budget and how those challenges threaten the implementation of the
2011/12 budget. Mr. Speaker, Sir, although Malawi has performed exceptionally
well, we are still facing challenges relating to the foreign exchange situation;
tobacco marketing; availability of fuel; energy and youth employment.
FOREIGN EXCHANGE SITUATION
11. Mr. Speaker Sir, the problems to do with foreign exchange in this country
can be partly attributed to high rates of economic growth that we have experienced
in recent years. Part of this economic growth has translated into high demand for
imports. Unfortunately, our export base has remained narrow in that we continue to
rely on the same traditional exports of tobacco, tea, sugar and recently cotton. In
aggregate, the export value has not kept pace with import demand. Mr Speaker Sir,
the Honourable members may wish to know that at the moment, Malawi’s exports
represent 20% of our GDP while imports are the equivalent of 39% of GDP, we
have a trade deficit equivalent to 19 percent of GDP. In turn, this trade deficit has
resulted in dwindling international foreign exchange reserves and foreign exchange
shortages which have resulted in procurement challenges of strategic imports
especially fuel. In addition, our banks are taking longer to settle foreign invoices
and some importers cannot secure credit lines or establish letters of credit.
Measures to be Taken to Improve Foreign Exchange Availability
12. Mr. Speaker, Sir, in order to deal with the problem of foreign exchange
shortages, Government will enhance and introduce supply side measures that will
unlock the export potential of Malawi and increase the supply of foreign exchange
on the market. In the budget we have already included some K1.6 billion to be
invested in the cotton industry in the farming season and we believe this will allow
us to generate extra foreign exchange by the next season.
Establishment of export pre-finance and guarantee scheme
13. As a way of promoting the export sector, Government will establish export
pre-finance and guarantee scheme to provide working capital and medium to long
term loans to exporters. The scheme will focus on small-scale, non-traditional
exporters who venture into processing and export of non-traditional commodities
like gemstones or non-traditional agricultural products like pigeon peas, wheat,
soya and paprika.
Enhancing export tracking
14. Mr Speaker, Sir, our investigations have shown that for the goods that
Malawi is currently exporting, the country is not getting the full value due to
transfer pricing through over valuation. To arrest this problem, the Government
will introduce reference pricing which will be used to value exports and validate
declarations made on CD1 form as exports are discharged through our Borders.
Government is also working towards signing double taxation agreements with
countries of final destination for Malawi’s major exports. Through these double
taxation agreements, MRA will be able to obtain price and volume information on
Malawi’s exports to those countries and will use that information to determine
cases of transfer pricing.
Encouraging Remittances from Malawians in the Diaspora
15. Mr. Speaker, Sir, one untapped source of foreign exchange is Malawians in
the diaspora. Although these Malawians are allowed to operate foreign currency
denominated accounts with banks of their choice in Malawi, they have tended to
use informal channels. As such we will soon come up with concrete incentives to
encourage Malawians living abroad to use formal channels to remit funds to their
families or for investment. Government is contemplating possibilities of promoting
investment participation by the Malawian diaspora including schemes for easing
red-tape in accessing real estate, like allocation of plots in urban centres for
Malawians in the diaspora who operate FCDAs.
Waiver of the 60/40 retention/conversion rule
16. Businesses have from time to time requested for a waiver of the 60/40
retention/conversion rule in order for them to meet foreseen foreign obligations.
The Reserve Bank of Malawi has granted such waivers on a case-by-case basis. In
order to complement efforts to encourage non-traditional exports and speedy
repatriation of proceeds, the Reserve Bank of Malawi will waive the
retention/conversion rule for those exporters that demonstrate a good track record
of exports and repatriation of proceeds.
TOBACCO
17. Mr Speaker Sir, it will be remiss of me to proceed without highlighting the
economic threat that we face due to uniquely low tobacco season. The 2011
tobacco marketing season may turn out to be one of the worst in our history. Since
the opening of the Auction Floors in March, prices have been very low, and the
rejection rates have been very high. As at 31 May, the total volume of tobacco
traded on the auction floors was 34.4 million kgs while we had traded 78.95
million kgs at the same time last year representing a 56.5 percent drop in volume.
Similarly, whereas the average price of all tobacco was US$1.90 last year, this year
the average price is only 93 cents. As a result, our foreign exchange earnings from
tobacco have fallen by 78.8 percent from US$150.6 million last year to a mere
US$31.9 million. At this rate, our projected earnings from tobacco have been
reduced from $450million to about $300million. And this is based on a more
optimistic projection.
18. Mr. Speaker, Sir, the tobacco industry has offered many reasons for this turn
of events including the fact that some buyers did not have confirmed orders at the
beginning of the season, that buyers had stocks from last season; that there has
been an increase in incidences of non-tobacco related materials; and that the
quality of tobacco has been poor due to poor handling. However, the most
important factor affecting our tobacco appears to be over production. There is
overproduction at the global level as well as at the national level. Mr Speaker Sir, I
wish to invite our nation to do soul searching on the issue of tobacco in order to
salvage the future of this very important crop. What can and should we do to
control the number of growers and amount of tobacco being produced? We need to
institute effective measures that will address illegal production of tobacco, improve
quality and certainly to eliminate instances of Non tobacco-related materials.
FUEL
19. On the issue of fuel, Mr. Speaker Sir, there are two main sources of
pressures. The first source of problems, Mr. Speaker Sir, is the increasing demand
for fuel due to the increase in number of cars being imported into the country.
Honourable members may wish to note that due to our unprecedented economic
growth, Malawi is now registering up to 3000 vehicles a month. Current figures
indicate that the combined daily demand for fuel stands at 1.124 million litres
which translates into the country’s monthly demand for fuel at 33.6 million litres.
This increase in fuel demand has been aggravated by an increase in fuel prices due
to the unrest in the Middle East. Crude prices have risen from about US$80 per
barrel in 2010 to US$115 per barrel by May 2011. At the May 2011 prices the
value of Malawi’s monthly fuel imports is now US$30.5million while at the same
time last year (May 2010) the same volumes were valued at US$21.4million. As
such the country requires, approximately, US$366 million to meet the annual
demand for petroleum products.
20. The second problem is one of logistics. Mr. Speaker Sir, the Honourable
members may wish to know that Malawi does not have the internal fuel reservoirs
with a storage capacity of the recommended 15 days. As a result we normally have
three days fuel reserves and most times fuel goes straight from the tankers to filling
stations without stopping at storage facilities. A consequence of this lack of storage
capacity, Mr. Speaker Sir, is that any disruption to the fuel supply chain, be it
congestion at the port or along the way, immediately translates into a dry-out at the
pump. It was in realization of this problem that Government has created the
National Oil Company of Malawi (NOCMA) whose job it will be to construct and
then manage strategic fuel reserves.
ENERGY
21. Mr Speaker Sir, another chronic problem that Malawi continues to face is
erratic power supply. As members of this house are aware, Malawi’s electricity
generation capacity is 283 megawatts while demand for electricity is far higher. As
a result, across the country, rolling blackouts are the order of the day and these
have negatively impacted industrial output, raised the cost of doing business by
forcing companies to buy stand-by generators and has helped to increase the
demand for diesel. At the household level, this problem has affected our way of
life.
22. In recognition of this problem, the government has decided to use
US$55million dollars from the national budget to construct Kapichira II hydro
electric plant. As we speak, a Chinese contractor Gezhouba Construction has been
engaged and will complete the works in 30 months. Government also signed a
compact agreement with the Millennium Challenge Corporation of the United
States of America on 7th April 2011. Through the compact, ESCOM’s generation
transmission and distribution capacities will be improved.
YOUTH UNEMPLOYMENT
23. Mr Speaker, Sir, let me turn to another very important challenge that has
been growing in magnitude – youth unemployment. A conference of African
Ministers of Finance held in Lilongwe last year noted that across the world, and in
Africa as well, there is “jobless growth”. That is, economies are growing fast but
the economic growth is not translated into creation of decent jobs for young
people. Malawi is not immune to this phenomenon. According the most recent
census, the Malawi population is relatively young, with the youth comprising more
than half the population. Every year approximately 130,000 young people are now
entering the job market. Unfortunately, our formal sector is unable to create jobs at
a rate sufficient to absorb these labour market entrants. As a result, we are now
witnessing increasing unemployment and underemployment, even among
university graduates who are taking long to secure employment.
24. Mr. Speaker, Sir, it is important to prepare our youth for non-formal
employment through expansion of vocational education and training centers. In
addition, we need to provide access to finance for those that might want to be self
employed. It was in realisation of this phenomenon that this Government created
the Malawi Youth Enterprise Development Fund to assist young people, who want
to be self employed, with seed capital and the training necessary to equip them
with requisite business skills. But government recognises that more needs to be
done if we are to gainfully employ our youth and build a better Malawi where
those looking for jobs find them. Government will therefore be intensifying efforts
to secure financing for the SME sector but also resources to extend the network of
technical colleges.
ASSUMPTIONS UNDERLYING THE 2011/12 BUDGET
25. Mr. Speaker, Sir, Now let me turn to the major assumptions underpinning
the 2011/12 Fiscal Year Budget. I will start with the Global Economic Outlook as
reported by the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
Global Economic Outlook
26. Mr. Speaker, Sir, according to the April 2011 World Economic Outlook of
the IMF, global economic recovery continued more or less as predicted in October
2010 and has remained unchanged from the forecast made in the January 2011
update. Global economic growth fell to about 3.75 percent during the second half
of 2010 from about 5.25 percent during the first half. As the fears of depression
receded towards the end of 2009, confidence later picked up in the second half
hence businesses started rebuilding their depleted stocks resulting into a sharp
rebound in industrial production and trade which lasted through the first half of
2010.
27. The World Economic Outlook indicates that this recovery is in two parts;
with larger output gaps in advanced economies who suffered large financial
shocks and closing or closed gaps in emerging and developing economies.
However, unemployment has remained relatively high and commodity prices
especially food, due to weather related supply shocks, and oil prices have resurged
thereby exerting pressure on inflation in emerging and developing countries. In
both 2011 and 2012, the global economy is expected to grow at about 4.5 percent
per annum, representing a modest downward revision in growth from an earlier
projection of 5 percent made in 2010. Advanced economies are projected to grow
at only 2.5 percent while the emerging and developing economies are projected to
grow at a higher rate of 6.5 percent. This growth will be as a result of
improvements in financial markets, buoyant economic activity in many emerging
and developing countries and growing confidence in advanced economies
notwithstanding new volatility caused by fears about disruptions to oil supply.
Sub-Saharan African Region
28. Mr. Speaker, Sir, moving closer home, information from the Sub-Saharan
Africa region indicates that growth recovery in the region is progressing steadily.
The region is projected to grow by 5.5 percent in 2011 from 5.0 percent in 2010.
This is mainly driven by rising commodity prices on the international market. In
2012, Sub-Saharan African GDP is estimated to grow by 5.9 percent. However,
uncertainties still remain. The rising oil and fuel prices may affect growth
performance in fuel net importing countries while rising food prices may affect
poor households in food net importing countries as well. It is conceivable that the
rising oil prices may raise inflation expectations.
Developments in the Malawi Economy
29. Mr. Speaker, Sir, let me now turn to the domestic economy. During 2010/11
fiscal year, we continued to see unprecedented economic growth that has
characterized this Administration since 2004. The Malawi economy grew by 6.7
percent in 2010 after yet another remarkable performance in 2009 when the
economy grew by 8.9 percent driven by strong performance in mining,
information and communication and construction sectors. The economy is
projected to continue growing faster than the region at 6.9 percent and 6.6 percent
growth rates in 2011 and 2012 respectively. These growth rates are expected to
be anchored by strong performance in agriculture sector as it rebounds, as well as
mining and construction sectors.
30. Mr. Speaker, Sir, in line with the strong economic performance, government
still remains committed to maintain low inflation levels. In 2010 the average rate
of inflation stood at 7.4 percent anchored by food surplus which resulted in
depressed food prices. Inflation is projected to decline further to 7.0 percent in
2011 and 6.9 percent in 2012 due to expected increases in agricultural production,
as well as fiscal prudence and tight monetary policy.
31. Mr. Speaker, Sir, sustaining higher growth rates requires overcoming
obstacles to growth. Among the major challenges facing the economy is the issue
of diversification of the economy away from traditional exports. For your
information, Mr. Speaker Sir, although the tobacco selling season is in progress,
low prices combined with a high rate of rejection at the floors means the country
is not going to benefit much from the golden leaf this year.
32. Mr. Speaker, Sir, since tobacco has been our major foreign exchange earner
from time memorial, the time has come for the country to diversify away from
tobacco to other export commodities especially those that can be promoted within
the short to medium term. It is in this regard, that government is thinking of
investing heavily in other potential non traditional exports such as cotton, wheat
and pulses which are on high demand worldwide.
Monetary Sector Performance
33. Mr. Speaker, Sir, monetary policy in 2010 was geared towards safeguarding
the current price stability whilst ensuring that sufficient credit is availed to the
private sector. The single-digit inflation rate achieved since 2007 persisted in
2010 and 2011. As such, the Reserve Bank reduced its Bank rate from 15.0
percent which was effected in November 2007 to 13.0 percent since August 2010.
The commercial banks responded positively by reducing their prime lending rates
from 19.25 percent to an average of 17.67 percent in September 2010.
Consequently, private sector borrowing from the banking system increased by
18.7 percent on an annual basis, to K127.4 billion in March 2011, which in turn
induced an annual growth in net domestic credit of 28.7 percent to K245.9 billion
in the same month. Reflecting availability of excess liquidity in the system, the all
type Treasury bills yield also declined from an average of 10.17 percent in June
2010 to 6.91 percent as at end December 2010 and dropped further to 5.93 percent
in March 2011. As a result, the growth in broad money accelerated from 12.8
percent in June 2010 to 21.3 percent as at end March 2011.
34. Mr. Speaker, Sir, following the successful first review of the IMF supported
Extended Credit Facility programme in December 2010 which unlocked donor
inflows, external reserves of the economy rose from 2.5 months of import cover in
June 2010 to 3.0 months in December 2010, before sliding back to 2.2 months in
March 2011. Consequently, during the period the Malawi Kwacha remained
relatively stable against the United States Dollar.
35. Mr. Speaker, Sir, pressure on inflation is, however, mounting from rising
global oil prices following the political turbulence in the Middle East and North
Africa as well as growing demand for oil from emerging economies such as China
and India. The Reserve Bank shall, therefore continue to institute tight monetary
policy stance during the rest of 2011 and 2012, aimed at maintaining price
stability in order to minimize costs to the private sector associated with high and
volatile inflation. This policy stance will be anchored by reserve money which is
programmed to grow in tandem with nominal GDP. The prevailing low tobacco
prices at the auction flows however pose a challenge on the foreign exchange
reserves accumulation efforts. Consequently, the Reserve bank may face some
limitations in intervening in the foreign exchange market through sales of foreign
exchange as a monetary policy tightening tool. Open Market Operations shall
therefore remain the primary monetary policy instrument. Furthermore, the
Reserve Bank shall also ensure that the nominal exchange rate remains stable so
as to provide a favourable environment for continued private sector growth.
FISCAL PERFORMANCE FOR THE 2010/11 BUDGET
36. Mr. Speaker, Sir, let me now turn to the fiscal performance of the 2010/11
budget. As the Honourable Members are aware, it is a tradition in this House that
before a new Budget is presented, a detailed account of the current Budget is first
presented to the House. I am therefore profoundly delighted this afternoon to give
an account of the 2010/11 Budget. All supporting documentation will be
circulated to the Honourable Members shortly after my presentation. Let me also
point out that my Cabinet Colleagues and I will avail ourselves to answer any
questions that the Honourable Members may wish to raise regarding the 2010/11
budget implementation.
Revenues and Grants in 2010/11 Financial Year
37. Mr. Speaker, Sir, as the Honourable Members are aware, Total Revenues
and Grants approved for the 2010/11 Budget were K287 billion. Of this sum,
K202 billion, representing 70 percent, were locally Generated Resources while
K85 billion or 30 percent were Grants. Domestic Revenues comprised Tax
Revenues amounting to K171 billion (or 85 percent) and Non-Tax Revenues
amounting to K31 billion (or 15 percent). Grants comprised K19.9 billion
Program Grants or Budget Support, K33.6 billion Dedicated Grants and K31.8
billion Project Grants making a total of K85 billion.
38. As at the Mid Year, Domestic Revenues, both Taxes and Non Taxes, had
over performed. Tax Revenues over performed by K3.5 billion with a collection
of K84.8 billion against a Mid Year target of K81.3 billion. Non Tax Revenues
had over performed by K3.1 billion with a collection of K18.4 billion against a
target of K15.3 billion. As I reported then, Tax Revenues over performed on
account of efficiencies in the Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA) arising from the
reforms that the institution has been undertaking and improvement in tax payer
compliance, while Non Tax Revenues over performed on account of efficiencies
in Revenue Collecting Government Departments. As a result of the over
performance in Taxes and Non Tax Revenues, Domestic Revenues were revised
upwards at Mid Year to K213 billion comprising K175 billion Tax Revenues and
K38 billion Non Tax Revenues.
39. It is pleasing to report to this Honourable House that although we have not
closed our books for the 2010/11 financial year prospects show that domestic
revenues will perform marginally well. This is largely on account of improved tax
payer compliance, effective tax administration measures and improvement in
accounting and management of non tax revenues. We therefore remain optimistic
that at the end of the financial year, these projected revenues will be realized in
full.
40. As for Grants, Honourable Members may recall that, the performance at Mid
Year was less than impressive. From a Target of K55 billion, only K40.9 billion
was received, meaning that Grants under performed by K14.1 billion. The major
under performances were in Dedicated Grants especially Health Sector SWAP
Grants which under performed by K8.3 billion against a target of K10.1 billion
and Project Grants which had disbursed K10.9 billion against a target of K18.3
billion resulting in a shortfall of K7.4 billion. On the other hand, Program Grants
or Budget Support over performed by K3 billion. From a Mid Year target of
K11.9 billion, Government received K14.9 billion. The underperformance in some
Grants categories was purely a timing difference and we expect all the Grants to
come through by the end of the financial year. It is on this basis that the revision at
the Mid Year was simply a drop of K1 billion from an earlier projection of K85
billion to K84 billion. The major adjustments were on two Grants categories,
namely, Dedicated Grants and Program Grants. Dedicated Grants increased by
K2.1 billion from K33.6 billion to K35.7 billion on account of increased support
from the European Union while Program Grants contracted by K3 billion from
their original estimate of K19.9 billion to K17 billion. To the end of the financial
year, we expect all the Grants will come through.
41. At this juncture Mr. Speaker, Sir, allow me to join His Excellency the State
President in thanking most profoundly all the Development Partners for the
support they continue to give to the Government of Malawi. In particular, let me
thank the European Union (EU), the United kingdom (DFID), the Kingdom of
Norway, the African Development Bank and the Federal Republic of Germany for
providing Budget Support in 2010/11 Fiscal Year.
42. Allow me also to acknowledge the various Development Partners who
provided us with pooled funding for implementing various programs. Under the
Farm Input Subsidy Program, let me thank the support from the Government of
the Kingdom of Norway, the Irish Aid, the European Union and the United
Kingdom (DFID). In the National Aids Response, let me acknowledge the support
from the Government of the Kingdom of Norway; United Kingdom (DFID); the
World Bank and the United States Government through the Global Fund for
HIV/AIDS. In the Health Sector Wide Approach, let me acknowledge the support
from the Government of the Kingdom of Norway; United Kingdom (DFID); the
Federal Republic of Germany (KfW), the Flemish International Cooperation
Agency and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). Apart from the Health
Pool partners, let me also acknowledge the support of various health discrete
partners including the African Development Bank, USAID ,the Centre for Disease
Control and UN Agencies.
43. In the Education SWAp, let me acknowledge the support of various pool
funding partners which included: the United Kingdom (DFID), German
Development Cooperation, the World Bank, the Education Fast Track Initiative,
and UNICEF. Apart from the pool funds partners, the Government received
support from the Education SWAP discrete partners which included: the People’s
Republic of China, the African Development Bank, Japanese International
Cooperation Agency, Canadian International Cooperation Agency, USAID, World
Food Program, the OPEC Fund for International Development, the Arab Bank for
Economic Development in Africa and the Saudi Fund for Development. To all our
Development Partners, I wish to sincerely thank you for your support.
44. Let me also acknowledge the support from the Government of India, the
Australian Government, the European Investment Bank, the Peoples Republic of
China, the African Water Facility, the European Water Facility, the Dutch
Government, the Governments of Japan and the International Fund for Agriculture
Development in the area of Green Belt Irrigation and water Development and
other areas.
45. Mr Speaker, Sir, let me now briefly turn to Malawi’s working relationship
with the International Monetary Fund. As this August House is aware, Malawi has
had a very amicable, long-standing working relationship with the Fund along-side
other multilateral institutions namely. I am indebted to the International Monetary
Fund for the lead role it plays in catalyzing assistance from the rest of the other
Development Partners, especially with regard to Budget Support.
46. Mr Speaker, Sir, Honourable Members, I owe an explanation to this
Respectable House and the Malawi Nation at large, regarding where we stand on
the implementation of the Extended Credit Facility Programme as negotiated and
agreed with the IMF. Honourable Members may wish to be informed that after
successfully concluding the first review of the Programme for the period ending
June, 2010, new challenges have emerged that are standing in the way for an early
conclusion of the subsequent review for the period ending December, 2010; to the
extent that my Budget Statement is being read in the midst of uncertainty
surrounding the availability of Budget Support from some Development Partners.
47. Mr Speaker, Sir, while the Budget I am presenting to this August Assembly
has been flexed to minimize the potential threats to macro-economic stability
arising from this uncertainty, the Government of Malawi remains committed to its
good working relationship with all Development Partners and will stay engaged
with the IMF to ensure that the outstanding issues are resolved.
Expenditures in 2010/11 Financial Year
48. Mr. Speaker, Sir, let me now discuss how expenditures have performed
during the 2010/11 financial year. Total Expenditures and Net Lending were
budgeted at K297 billion at the beginning of the financial year. Of this sum,
K216.9 billion (or 73 percent) were Recurrent Expenditures while K77.9 billion
(or 27 percent) were Development Budget Expenditures. At the Mid Year,
following the revisions in Revenues and Grants, total Expenditures and net
lending were revised upwards to K310 billion comprising K222.6 billion for
Recurrent Expenditure and K85 billion for Development Expenditure. As at Mid
Year, total Expenditure and Net Lending had underperformed by K11.1 billion
mainly on account of Donor funded projects which had underperformed by K10.8
billion. The underperformance on these projects was mainly explained by delayed
disbursements in donor inflows but it is projected that by the end of the financial
year, all these resources will have been received and that all the projects will be
implemented. As a Fiscal target, the intention remains to repay domestic debt by
1.5 percent of GDP.
ACHIEVEMENTS IN THE 2010/2011 FINANCIAL YEAR
49. The following have been achieved in the 2010/2011 financial year;
Agriculture and Food Security
• Government has successfully implemented the Farm Inputs Subsidy
Program (FISP) under which 160,000 metric tons of fertilizers were
distributed to 1.6 million farm families. The program has led to excess
maize production of approximately 1.2 million metric tons;
• Government purchased maize from smallholder farmers amounting to
53,000 metric tons through ADMARC and National Food Reserve
Agency (NFRA) and all this maize has been stored in the Strategic Grain
Silos;
• Our Smallholder farmers also increased production of various
agricultural outputs including crops such as rice (12 percent), sorghum
(37 percent), sweet potatoes (14 percent) and pulses (15 percent); and
livestock of all species, fish, and horticultural crops;
Green Belt Irrigation and Water Development
• Government constructed 660 boreholes and rehabilitated 220 boreholes,
giving a total of 880 operational boreholes countrywide;
• Government rehabilitated 912 taps, and completed rehabilitation of
Chilobwe, Kalitsiro and Lizulu gravity-fed piped water supply schemes;
• Government constructed and rehabilitated water treatment works at
Mapelera, Livunzu and Mbadzi. Water works at Lufiya in Karonga,
Ntonda in Ntcheu and Nkhamanga in Rumphi have been completed.
Works on Zomba Eastwater scheme and Mpira Dam in Balaka are in
progress;
• Government has constructed 21 Small Community Earth Dams, and is
completing the construction of the Lichenza Dam in Thyolo, and
rehabilitated 6 Hydrological Stations;
• Government extended the piped water supply system by 195km with
4,139 new connections made including extensions to the Mzuzu and
Likoma water supply systems.
Transport Infrastructure Development and Nsanje World Inland Port
• Government continued with the construction and rehabilitation of roads
both in Cities and all other areas in the country;
• Government continued with the rehabilitation of both Chileka and
Kamuzu International Airports; and
• Phase I of the Nsanje World Inland Port Development was completed
project was completed.
Energy Supply and Generation
• Government commenced the construction of Kapichila II Power Station
and within the next few months, when the construction is complete, an
additional 64 Megawatts of electricity will be added to the main grid
bringing the total to well beyond the current demand. This project will be
complemented by investments in the energy sector through the
Millennium Challenge Cooperation (MCC);
Integrated Rural Development
• Government completed the construction of Neno and Nthalire Growth
Centres in Neno and Chitipa Districts respectively. Government also
continued with the development of Nambuma Growth Centre in Dowa;
• Government completed the construction of 5 modern markets at Thyolo
Boma, Matawale in Zomba City, Dwangwa in Nkhotakota and
Ekwendeni in Mzimba.
Local Development Fund (LDF)
• Through the LDF, the following were achieved :–
o 985 Primary School Staff houses have been constructed in rural areas
country-wide, of which 524 staff houses are fitted with a solar power
system;
o The following were constructed: 143 school blocks, 46 health centres,
116 water facilities such as boreholes and gravity fed water systems,
76 roads, police units, shelters and several other social and economic
amenities;
o 471 projects have been implemented in various sectors;
o A total of 3,063 savings groups have been mobilised from Public
Works beneficiaries (which had 58,917 members of which 61% are
women), with total savings amounting to MK 92.6 million);
o Works begun to reconstruct 150 school blocks and 200 teachers’
houses in Chitipa and Karonga under the Earthquake Response
programme;
o K600 million in cash transfers has been disbursed to 250,266
beneficiaries through the Public Works Programme;
Education, Science and Technology
Pre-Primary and Primary Education
• Government recruited and deployed to rural schools over 5,000 teachers
who are being given an incentive of rural teacher’s allowance at K5,000
per month. A total of 37,562 teachers are receiving these allowances;
• Government paid over 2,400 teachers in 544 primary schools Double
Shifting allowances at K5,000 per month per teacher;
• Government procured and distributed to all the 5,144 primary schools
teaching and learning materials;
Secondary Schools
• Government provided Bursaries to 6,938 secondary school students and
also provided Grants to 20 Grant Aided Secondary Schools;
• Government upgraded 18 Community Day Secondary Schools, and
constructed 18 Girls Hostels and Rehabilitated 8 Secondary Schools.
Higher Education
• Government continued with the project of constructing a new Nursing
Campus in Blantyre;
• Government constructed new lecture theatres and hostels at Kamuzu
College of Nursing at Lilongwe Campus;
• Government constructed schools of education at Mzuzu University,
Chancellor College and the Polytechnic; and
• An Annexe of the Law School at Chancellor College was completed and
opened.
Vocational Training
• Government has rehabilitated Soche, Salima, Lilongwe and Nasawa
Technical Colleges;
• Through TEVETA, Government has paid bursaries to over 477 needy
students in Technical Colleges, and provided skills training to over 1,834
orphans and vulnerable youths.
Teacher Training
• Government completed the construction of Machinga TTC at Liwonde
which is currently training teachers; and
• Government supported the training of over 4,136 Primary School
teachers of which 36 percent are female teachers; A further 4,100 student
teachers where 33 percent are women, have enrolled under open and
Distance learning programme; Another 4,000 teachers are being trained
in Primary Child Family Schools Programme.
Complimentary Basic Education
• Government provided Community Based Education to 8,100 learners in
270 Centres in 5 Districts, namely, Ntchisi, Salima, Kasungu,
Chikhwawa and Nsanje;
• Provided Adult Literacy Classes to 132,000 learners in 8,000 centres
spread across 34 education Districts; and
• Developed an English curriculum for Adult Literacy classes
Public Health, Sanitation, Malaria and HIV/AIDS Management
• Government increased Basic Emergency Obstetric Care (BemOC)
services from 71 to 98 facilities; trained skilled birth attendants;
distributed 1,885,670 Insecticide Treated Mosquito Nets (ITN) to
pregnant mothers and children under the age of 5 years; completed the
construction of 75 staff houses under Umoyo Housing project and also
completed phase two of the rehabilitation of Zomba Central Hospital;
• Government also supported the training of over 752 health workers in
Christian Hospitals Association of Malawi (CHAM) colleges and the
Malawi College of Health Sciences through the provision of scholarships
for the student’s tuition, board and lodging expenses;
• Government provided life-prolonging drugs of free ARV’s to over
366,000 people.
PROSPECTS FOR THE 2011/12 BUDGET
50. Mr. Speaker, Sir, the 2011/12 Budget has been formulated based on four
fundamental assumptions. Firstly, the Budget is underpinned by the global,
regional and domestic macroeconomic conditions which I have already referred to
earlier in my statement. Secondly, the Budget is based on the priorities of the
MGDS II document. As the Honourable Members are aware, Government has
formulated a new MGDS II document which has nine Key Priority Areas as
follows: Agriculture and Food Security; Greenbelt Irrigation and Water
Development; Education, Science and Technology; Transport Infrastructure and
Nsanje World Inland Port Development; Climate Change, Natural Resources and
Environmental Management; Integrated Rural Development; Public Health,
Sanitation and HIV/AIDS Management; Youth Development and Empowerment
and Energy, Mining and Industrial Development.
51. As the Honourable Members may be aware, recent macroeconomic
achievements in our Country are directly attributed to the implementation of the
Malawi Growth and Development Strategy (MGDS). Government deemed it
prudent that since the MGDS I was coming to an end in 2010/11 Fiscal Year, a
new MGDS Strategy should be formulated to guide the implementation of
Government programs beyond 2010/11 Fiscal Year. The process of formulating
this new strategy was highly consultative and participatory as various key
Stakeholders in the Country including Development Partners were consulted. I
have no doubt that just as the Country benefitted from the implementation of
MGDS I, we will also benefit from MGDS II which becomes operational from 1st
July 2011 to 30th June 2016.
52. Thirdly, Mr. Speaker, Sir, the 20111/12 Budget presumes that Government
will continue to pursue fiscal discipline and prudent financial management. The
Budget is forecasting a domestic debt repayment target of K15.4 billion which is
1.5 percent of GDP. This level of repayment is in line with the Extended Credit
Facility program with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
53. Fourth, the 2011/12 Budget will be based on a number of Budget Reform
measures as follows:-
Budget Reform Measures in 2011/12 Fiscal Year
(i) Zero Deficit Budget.
54. As was announced by His Excellency the President, the 2011/12 Budget
will be a Zero Deficit Budget meaning that Government will finance all its
Recurrent Expenditures using its own domestic resources. Mr Speaker, Sir,
contrary to the notions that have been expressed that the idea of implementing a
Zero Deficit Budget is far fetched or unrealistic, Government believes that we
have reached a stage where this concept is feasible. It must be understood that we
are not saying that all expenditures will be met from domestic resources. Malawi
will continue to require donor support, particularly for projects or development
expenditure. But we will strive to meet all recurrent expenditure from domestic
revenues, without resorting to borrowing or cutting essential public service
delivery.
55. Mr. Speaker, Sir, because the economy has been growing strongly in the past
six to seven years, Domestic Revenues have been growing as well. These
revenues have more than quadrupled from K51.7 billion in 2004/05 Fiscal Year to
K213 billion in 2010/11 Revised Budget mainly as a result of economic growth,
efficiencies in revenue collecting bodies and increased compliance by many tax
payers. Over the same period, Grants have only increased modestly from K51
billion in 2005/06 Fiscal Year to K84 billion in 2010/11 Fiscal Year. As a result
of the strong growth in Domestic Revenues, coupled with various expenditure
control measures which have contained growth in Recurrent Expenditure in favour
of Development Budget expenditure, it has become naturally possible that for the
first time in the history of Malawi, Government is able to finance all its Recurrent
Expenditure using its own Domestic Resources without any recourse to either
domestic or foreign borrowing or cuts in public service delivery. This picture will
become clearer Mr Speaker, Sir, as I present the figures for the 2011/12 Budget.
Just to mention though that this has been made possible owing to the fiscal
prudence this Administration has been instituting since it took over the leadership
of this country.
56. Let me also emphasize the point made by His Excellency the State President
in the State of Nations address that the Zero Deficit Budget does not mean that we
do not need support from our Development Partners. As a matter of fact, we need
their support to help us develop the Country much faster. What the Zero Deficit
Budget is advocating is fiscal discipline in that we cover all the Recurrent
Expenditure while at the same time allocating more resources including those
from Development Partners towards the Development Budget Expenditure. Mr.
Speaker, Sir, we are where we are due to tight fiscal discipline and this must
continue. Furthermore, what the Zero Deficit Budget means for the contractual
recurrent expenditures by the Development Partners such as those in SWAPs, is
that we expect Development Partners to continue to honour their pledges and
support the agreed expenditures. However, where such resources fall short,
Government will come in with its own resources and provide the services so that
none of those services suffers.
57. In the Development Budget, Government will solicit support from our
Cooperating Partners to complement its own efforts. However, what the Zero
Deficit Budget means is that no single project will be mobilized unless resources
backing up those expenditures have been received either from domestic resources
or from Development Partners. This being the case, all Government financed
projects will be implemented as planned without hitches, however, for all donor
funded projects, they will be mobilized only when resources have been disbursed.
This Mr. Speaker, Sir, is a prudent way of managing Government resources and
expenditures. Honourable Members may wish to be informed that in the past,
when the Budget had been passed, Government would simply go ahead and
implement projects believing that all the resources that are backing up those
expenditures would come through. But when the resources, especially from
Development Partners, were delayed or did not come through, Government would
find itself in an awkward situation because by that time it would already have
incurred expenditures using borrowed resources which are expensive. In this way,
Government ends up with high domestic borrowing stock position or is forced to
make unplanned expenditure cuts in other areas.
58. Mr. Speaker, Sir, excessive borrowing caused by delays or lack of
disbursement by Development Partners has had negative consequences on the
National Budget before. You may recall that prior to 2004, domestic debt position
was unsustainable, as interest sky rocketed. High domestic borrowing led to
crowding out of the private sector in the money market such that there were times
especially before 2004 that resources were not available for the private sector. To
avoid all these problems for now and the future, Government has introduced the
Zero Deficit Budget approach so that none of these problems resurface.
The Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF)
59. The second Budget reform measure, Mr. Speaker, Sir, in the 2011/12 Budget
is the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) approach to Budgeting. By
this I mean that apart from providing Budget details for the 2011/12 Budget,
projections for the two outer years, namely, 2012/13 and 2013/14 have also been
provided. The inclusion of budget details for the two outer years is only for
planning purposes. Annual Budgets will continue to be presented before the
National Assembly for approval as has always been the case. This reform has been
found necessary as most projects and programs take more than one year to be
completed, it was considered necessary to revitalize the MTEF type of budgeting
so that allocations for the two outer years are also indicated. This measure is good
for implementers of Government programs and projects because they will be able
to know in advance their expected allocations in subsequent Fiscal Years, hence,
help in better planning of programs and projects.
Emphasis on Development Expenditures
60. The third Budget Reform, Mr. Speaker, Sir, is that the 2011/12 Budget has
paid particular attention to the Development Budget Expenditure especially those
which are being financed by Government’s own resources. The 2011/12 Budget
has allocated more resources to these projects so that infrastructure development
in the country is accelerated in the 2011/12 Fiscal Year. Government has been
able to achieve this by constraining expenditure on ORT in favour of
Development Budget expenditure. In this regard, the 2011/12 Budget is a Pro
Development Budget as opposed to a Consumption Budget.
Expenditure Control Measures
61. The fourth Budget Reform, Mr Speaker, Sir, is that both the Revenue and
Expenditure projections in the 2011/12 Budget have been underpinned by specific
measures that enhances revenue collection as well as contain Government
expenditure respectively. On the expenditure side, these measures include the
following:
(a) Measures that ensure Government derives competitive and favourable
pricing in all its procurements of Goods and Services;
(b) Measures that control expenditures on travel both within and outside
Malawi;
(c) Measures that control expenditures on compensations arising from
Court cases and industrial labour disputes;
(d) Measures that control over expenditures on Pensions and Wages;
(e) Measures that control spending on luxury items; and
(f) Measures that control unplanned expansion in the Payroll.
Improvements in Budget Documentation
62. Mr. Speaker, Sir, the Government has made improvements in the Budget
Documentation. First, the Output-Based Budget Document has been improved
dramatically. The structure and contents of this Document have been improved in
that programs and sub-programs of Ministries and Departments are now more
strongly linked to core functions of Ministries and Departments.
63. Secondly, for each vote, concerted efforts have been made to strongly link
the provisions to outputs. This being the case, for all the provisions in 2010/11
fiscal year, the Document has clearly indicated all the outputs that have been
achieved vote by vote and the same has been made for all the proposed provisions
for 2011/12. This information is invaluable for scrutinizing the provisions. During
implementation of the Budget, this information will be critical for objective
assessment of performance.
64. Thirdly, the size of the Budget documentation has been improved radically.
As the Honourable Members are aware, in the past each Honourable Member of
Parliament was issued with printed copies of the Budget in excess of 5,000 pages,
and it proved bulky and cumbersome to refer to all these documents as well as
make constructive scrutiny of the Budget. Honourable Members of the Budget and
Finance Committee and other Members complained to me about this and drawing
from these concerns, we have made the following improvements to the
documents. The first improvement is that for those tables we could merge without
losing any information, we have merged them. Secondly, the Detailed Budget
document which had Volume One to Five has been downsized by way of
providing details in this document to item level, such as internal travel, and not to
sub-item level, such as hotel charges. This mechanism has reduced the printed
copies to less than half. The other details to sub-item level have been provided in
the CD-Roms that have been included as part of the Budget documentation.
Considering that all Honourable Members have laptop computers, everyone
should be able to get all the detailed information from the CD-Roms. We will
continue to improve on Budget documentation to ensure it is user-friendly and less
bulky.
Revenues and Grants for the 2011/12 Budget
65. Mr. Speaker, Sir, let me now begin to present the details of the 2011/12
Budget. Total Revenues and Grants are projected to amount to K307.7 billion in
2011/12 Budget, up from K287 billion in the 2010/11 Approved Budget. In
2012/13 and 2013/14 Fiscal Years, Total Revenues and Grants are projected to
rise further to K333 billion and K360 billion respectively. Of the Total Revenues
and Grants in 2011/12 Fiscal Year, K242.5 billion are Domestic Revenues
representing 79 percent and the balance of K65 billion representing 21 percent are
Grants. Comparing with the 2010/11 Fiscal Year, when the contributions from
Grants were about 30 percent, this means that contribution of Grants in 2011/12
Budget has fallen by about 9 percent. Similarly, in 2012/13 and 2013/14, the
contribution of Grants appear to be going down further as they will contribute 17
and 13 percent respectively. It is worth noting though that it is expected that
additional confirmations of Grants for the two outer years will be made in the
course of the period leading to those fiscal years.
66. On Domestic Revenues, Mr. Speaker, Sir, in the 2011/12 Financial Year,
Tax Revenues are projected to account for K203.5 billion or 83 percent of the
total domestic resources. Non Tax Revenues are expected to account for K39
billion or 17 percent of total domestic resources. Compared with the 2010/11
Fiscal Year, Tax Revenues are increasing by K32 billion while Non Tax Revenues
are increasing by K8 billion.
67. Let me mention Mr. Speaker, Sir that the expected domestic revenues are
adequate to cover recurrent expenditure in case we have challenges under budget
support. This is in line with the zero deficit policy as announced by His
Excellency the State President Professor Bingu Wa Mutharika
68. Mr. Speaker, Sir, let me inform the Honourable House that the increase in
domestic revenue mobilization expected in the 2011/12 fiscal year is on account
of improvements in tax administration as well as, tax and non tax policy measures
which I will announce in the course of my statement
69. Grants in 2011/12 are projected at K65 billion, comprising K19.8 billion
Program Grants, K28.3 billion Dedicated Grants and K17 billion Projects Grants.
Compared with the 2010/11 Fiscal Year, Grants in the 2011/12 financial year have
declined. The major contraction is in the Dedicated Grants which have contracted
by about K5 billion and Project Grants which have gone down by K15 billion.
Program Grants, however, are expected to remain the same at K19.8 billion. In
2012/13 and 2013/14 Fiscal Years, Grants are projected at K60 billion and K48
billion respectively. These projections though are not final as some commitments
may come through in the course of the ensuing fiscal years.
Expenditure in 2011/12 Fiscal Year
70. Mr. Speaker, Sir, let me now turn to the 2011/12 Fiscal Year expenditures.
Total Expenditure and Net Lending are projected to be K304 billion in 2011/12
compared to K310 billion in 2010/11 Revised Budget Estimates meaning that total
expenditure and net lending will go down in 2011/12. In 2012/13 and 2013/14
Fiscal Years, total Expenditure and Net Lending are expected to increase to K319
billion and K326 billion respectively.
71. Recurrent expenditure are projected to be at K234 billion in 2011/12 Fiscal
Year and rising further to K255 billion and K278 billion in 2012/13 and 2013/14
Fiscal Years respectively. Comparing with the 2010/11 Revised Budget,
Recurrent Budget expenditures are up by 5 percent in 2011/12 reflecting
expenditure increases in selected budget lines such as Wages and Salaries which
have been adjusted upwards; Pensions and Gratuities; and a relatively small
increase in running costs of Government. Government has however contained
expenditures of many budget lines in line with its policy decisions of controlling
waste in public spending. Mr. Speaker, Sir, let me also mention that wages and
salaries could have been higher had it not been for the new policy of paying
salaries and allowances through commercial banks.
72. Development Budget Expenditure in 2011/12 are projected to amount to
K69 billion comprising K40.4 billion Part II Development Budget Expenditure
which are financed by resources from the National Budget and K29 billion Part I
Development Budget Expenditures which are financed by our Development
Partners overall. The Development Expenditure has gone down by K8 billion
mainly on account of contraction in Development Part I projects which are funded
by Development Partners. This category contracted by K19.4 billion from K48.9
billion in 2010/11 to K29.4 billion in 2011/12. Comparing with the 2010/11 Fiscal
Year, Part II Development Budget projects have substantially increased by K8.5
billion to K40.2 billion reflecting Government’s policy decision to put special
emphasis on investing in Development Projects. Mr. Speaker, Sir, as a result of
this emphasis on Development Budget expenditures, we expect to see increased
investment in infrastructure developments across sectors of our economy in the
next financial year. This is in line with Government’s policy of shifting resources
from consumption to Development in order to accelerate infrastructure
development in the country.
KEY ALLOCATIONS IN THE 2011/12 BUDGET
73. Mr. Speaker, Sir, allow me now to comment on some of the key allocations
in the 2011/12 Budget.
Public Service Reforms
74. Mr. Speaker, Sir, in line with Government’s commitment and policy of
improving the welfare of Civil Servants, I wish to announce that the 2011/12
Budget has resources for adjusting upwards salaries for Civil Servants and
Members of Parliaments. Government will increase salaries of Civil Servants by 7
percent of which 3 percent, is normal wage creep salary adjustment which is given
to Civil Servants in December every year in line with their Conditions of Service.
This increase Mr. Speaker, Sir, is consistent with inflation and is likely going to
cushion Civil Servants from vagaries of increasing cost of living and maintain a
decent living standard. Cumulatively therefore since 2004 when His Excellency
the President took over the leadership of this country, salaries of Civil Servants
have gone up by over 195 percent.
75. In addition to the salary adjustment, I also wish to announce that the Budget
has an allocation of K3 billion for new recruitment into the Public Sector. The
recruitment to be prioritized will be in the areas of Education, Health, Internal
Security and Agriculture. In Education, over 5,000 teachers graduating from
various Training Colleges will be recruited and deployed to various schools across
the country especially in rural areas. In the Health sector, over 1,000 health care
workers and personnel, including nurses and doctors will be recruited and
deployed in various Health Centres, Facilities and Hospitals across the Country.
In the Malawi Police Service, over 500 men and women will be recruited, trained
and deployed in various Police Units across the country to guarantee peace and
security in our homes, communities, business premises and the Country as a
whole; and lastly in Agriculture, Extension Workers and other Experts will be
recruited to provide research and extension services to our farmers.
76. Mr. Speaker, Sir, the 2011/12 Budget has also made an allocation of K500
million to cater for scholarships and professional development of Civil Servants
and Academic Staff Members of Public Universities. These resources Mr.
Speaker, Sir, will help to ensure that both the Civil Service and the University of
Malawi (UNIMA) and Mzuzu University (MZUNI) have well trained and highly
qualified staff. The 2011/12 Budget also has K50 million for a Mandatory Public
Administration Course for Senior Officers in Government to improve their
delivery of public services.
77. Mr. Speaker, Sir, whilst I am on this point, let me also comment on the issue
of payment of salaries to Civil Servants through Banks as has been observed and
debated upon over the past five to six months. As the Honourable Members are
aware, in November last year, Government issued a circular requesting that all
Civil Servants open Bank Accounts through which their salaries would be paid.
Government had decided to do this because it had discovered at that time that
people who had exited the Civil Service through various means such as deaths,
resignations, retirements and dismissals were still being maintained on the
Government Payroll. Our investigations in major Ministries and Departments
revealed these observations and we estimated that Government was losing in
excess of K2 billion annually due to salary payments to these categories of
employees. All Civil Servants were therefore requested to open Bank Accounts
by February 2011 to curb the malpractice.
78. However, because many Civil Servants opened their Bank Accounts late and
also that in some cases, some communicated Bank details that were incorrect,
coupled with teething problems associated with any system change, all these
factors resulted in delayed processing of salary payments for many Ministries and
Departments in the months of February and March. However, since April, the
situation has improved and we have gone back to normality. Out of a total number
of employees on the Government payroll of 170,000 as of the month of May 2011
about 148,000 were paid through Bank Accounts representing 87 percent of the
Civil Service. The remaining Civil Servants are mostly Chiefs, Teachers and
Pensioners who will continue to be paid outside the Banking system until 30th
June 2011. These people, without Bank Accounts, continue to be paid using the
old system of cash payments. Let me also report that while salaries for February
and March had delayed as already indicated, salaries for the month of May for all
those that are being paid through the banks were remitted to their respective
Banks before Friday, 27th May 2011. This is a big improvement and I wish to
guarantee that with the collaboration of all Ministries, Departments and Banks, all
Civil Servants should be paid their monthly salaries in the month that they have
worked. Mr. Speaker, Sir, allow me to thank all the Civil Servants most sincerely
for their patience and understanding while we were introducing this new system,
which as I have indicated had its teething problems. Government believes that the
Civil Servants, and the country as a whole, stands to benefit greatly from the new
payment system.
79. Mr. Speaker, Sir, with regard to the actual number of Ghost Workers we
have removed from the Government payroll following the implementation of
payment of salaries through Banks, I wish to inform the Honourable House that a
total of verified Ghost Workers amounting to 4,878 have been deleted. These
Ghost Workers were costing Government in excess of K2 billion loss annually.
Another 8,868 possible Ghost Workers are also being investigated, and once
verified, the total savings Government will be making through this payment
mechanism could be in excess of K3.6 billion annually. This, Mr. Speaker, Sir, is
an enormous saving which the Government could not continue losing through the
anomalies I have already referred to. Any savings we make on the payroll will be
applied towards the development of our Country.
Agriculture and Food Security
80. Mr. Speaker, Sir, let me now turn to Agriculture and Food Security sector.
In 2011/12 Budget, the sector has been allocated a sum of K38.3 billion up from
K32.7 billion from the approved Budget of 2010/11. This allocation represents
12.6% of the total Budget. Key allocations in this Sector include the Farm Inputs
Subsidy Program (FISP) which has been allocated K17.4 billion to procure 140,
000 metric tons of fertilizers comprising 70,000 metric tonnes of UREA and
70,000 metric tons of NPK Fertilizers to distribute to 1.4 million farm families.
Another allocation of K3.6 billion has also been allocated to Ministry of
Agriculture for the procurement of hybrid and improved maize seed varieties
which will be distributed as part of the Farm Inputs Subsidy program as is
traditionally the case. Mr. Speaker, Sir, deserving Smallholder Farmers are
therefore guaranteed that they will receive coupons for procuring fertilizers and
maize seeds. As His Excellency, the President announced in the State of the
Nation Address, the fertilizers under this program will be sold at a uniform
subsidised price of K500 per bag.
81. Agriculture has also been allocated K1.2 billion in the 2011/12 Budget to
cater for the procurement of maize from smallholder farmers across the Country.
Just like in 2010/11 Fiscal Year, this money will be given to ADMARC to procure
this maize on behalf of Government. Once procured, this maize will be stocked in
the Strategic Grain Silos. To support storage capacities of individual smallholder
farmers across the Country, the 2011/12 Budget also has an allocation of K686
million in the Agriculture Sector for the procurement of pesticides for maize
storage which will be distributed to farmers in the course of the financial year.
This is to ensure that the excess maize the Country has produced should not be
wasted. Let me urge all smallholder farmers in the Country to take necessary
measures to ensure that not only is their maize properly stored, but it is also
properly used.
82. Mr. Speaker, Sir, Ministry of Agriculture has also been allocated K1.6
billion for the promotion of Cotton production in Malawi. As the Honourable
Members are aware, this year has been a surprisingly good year for the cotton
industry. Cotton lint has fetched prices as high as US$5.0 per kilogram in export
prices while local prices for seed cotton, the product sold by our farmers, have
surged from as low as K30 per kilogram last season to about K120 per kilogram
this season. This development is unprecedented and has also improved incomes of
many farmers who grew cotton in the previous season. In order to build on what
has been achieved at national and household level, the 2011/12 Budget has
allocated K1.6 billion to support farmers to produce high quality cotton lint for
domestic and export purposes. These resources Mr. Speaker, Sir, will be used to
procure cotton fertilizers and seeds which will be distributed to smallholder cotton
farmers on loan to be repaid at the time of selling their seed cotton to ginners.
These resources will be given to ADMARC and other Malawian Cotton Ginners
who will administer the loans to farmers. Our estimate is that these resources will
assist smallholder cotton farmers who will cultivate over 200,000 hectares of
cotton fields which could generate over US$300 million of foreign exchange in
the next twelve months. With the business linkages that cotton has, from the field
to ginning, spinning and weaving factories and textiles manufacturing plants, the
cotton industry has enormous potential to create employment, produce a variety of
products which will contribute to the industrial production and to generate foreign
exchange for the country. Given that most of the agricultural land in Malawi is
suitable for cotton production, it will be possible to scale up production over time
and enable our smallholder farmers to migrate from tobacco to cotton production.
Mr. Speaker, Sir, it will be necessary that our ginners should have direct access to
export markets in Asia so that Malawi should directly benefit from high export
prices. The Ministry of Agriculture will need to establish an appropriate support
structure for the cotton industry.
83. Ministry of Agriculture has also been allocated about K5 billion for various
core functions of the Ministry including supporting agricultural research and
extension services; supporting the livestock sub sector; promoting the production
of various field and horticultural crops; supporting fish farming initiatives
including the Presidential Initiative on Aquaculture.
Green Belt Irrigation and Water Development
84. Mr. Speaker, Sir, the Greenbelt Irrigation and Water Development has been
allocated K7.4 billion in 2011/12 Budget, up from the approved Budget of K5.1
billion in 2010/11 Fiscal Year. In addition to these resources, there is K7 billion
which will come from the Indian line of credit as irrigation equipment for the
Green Belt Irrigation initiative. In total, therefore, the Green Belt Irrigation and
Water Development will experience an unprecedented and record investment in
one Fiscal Year amounting to over K14 billion. With this investment Mr. Speaker,
Sir, we envisage accelerated irrigation development in the country. Old irrigation
schemes will be rehabilitated and new ones will be developed to support all year
round production of crops for domestic and export markets. We believe these
efforts will dramatically increase the incomes and improve the livelihoods of
many farmers across the country and contribute to the development of our
country.
85. Within the allocation to the Green Belt Irrigation and Water Development
priority area, K2.8 billion has been allocated to the Second National Water
Development Program for expanding and improving infrastructure for the supply
of drinking water in the Cities of Blantyre, Zomba, Lilongwe and Mzuzu. The
money will also be used to improve water supply systems in various Districts
across the Country. Another K125 million has also been allocated to the sector
for the construction and rehabilitation of Boreholes in various communities in the
Country.
Education, Science and Technology
86. Mr. Speaker, Sir, Education, Science and Technology has been allocated
K54 billion in the 2011/12 Budget, up from K42 billion in 2010/11 approved
Budget, representing 18 percent of the total Budget. In the Recurrent Budget,
Education has been allocated K47.4 billion which is 24.4 percent of the total
Recurrent Budget of the 2011/12 Fiscal Year. Part II Development Budget
Expenditure has more than doubled from K2.1 billion allocated in the 2010/11
financial year to K5.9 billion in 2011/12. The increased allocation in Development
Budget Expenditure is to support infrastructure developments in various education
facilities in the Country. In particular, construction of Teachers’ Houses has been
allocated K700 million; Construction of Girls Hostels in various Secondary
Schools across the country has been allocated K500 million; rehabilitation of
workshops in 7 Technical Colleges has been allocated K50 million; Rehabilitation
of Secondary Schools has been allocated K550 million, Rehabilitation of Primary
Schools has been allocated K2.2 billion; Rehabilitation of Teachers Training
Colleges has been allocated K110 million; Upgrading of Special Needs Education
Institutions has been allocated K150 million; Construction of Teacher Training
College in Chiladzulu has been allocated K100 million; Bursaries for Secondary
Schools has been allocated K210 million. Construction of Community Day
Secondary Schools K729 million; Phalombe Teacher Training College K231
million; and construction and expansion of Community Day Secondary School
K200 million.
87. In addition to these infrastructure developments, the education sector has
also been allocated K4 billion for purchases of Teaching and Learning materials
for distribution in various schools. As already announced, resources have been set
aside in the 2011/12 Budget for the recruitment and deployment of 10,360
teachers in various schools across the country. The Rural Teachers allowances
budget line has also been provided with resources so that deserving teachers in
rural areas continue to receive these allowances. The 2011/12 Budget has also
allocated K300 million towards TEVETA so that the tertiary education supported
by the institution is also broadened. An amount of K500 million has been
allocated for expanding the school meals program so that many pupils in various
primary schools access these school meals. Our experience so far has shown that
this program is encouraging many children to attend school and has also reduced
the pupil drop out rate. It is on this basis that this program will be expanded in
2011/12 fiscal year.
88. The 2011/12 Budget has made an allocation of K9 billion for the two public
universities. These resources will enable the two universities to maintain the
existing students and also enrol in excess of 3,000 students up from 2,000 that
were enrolled in 2009. The Budget has also included K450 million for kick
starting infrastructure developments for the Lilongwe University of Agriculture
and Natural Resources (LUANAR). As it was announced by His Excellency the
President, the Malawi University of Science and Technology (MUST) is being
financed through a loan from the People’s Republic of China.
89. Specific outputs to be achieved in the development budget for Ministry of
Education, Science and Technology include; commencement of construction of 3
Teacher Training Colleges in Rumphi, Mchinji and Chinkhwawa, completion of
the construction of 8 Girls' Hostels, upgrading of 2 CDSSs into full secondary
schools by bringing in the necessary infrastructure, and for the construction of 12
more CDSSs. This budget will also complete the rehabilitation of 4 national
secondary schools. From the same allocations to the development budget, 680
classrooms currently under construction will be completed. The Rehabilitation of
7 Teacher Training Colleges will be undertaken using these resources. In addition,
there will be training of about 12,000 Adult Literacy Instructors and 400 Literacy
Supervisors as the Government tries to achieve the requirements in these areas. A
Special Needs Institute will also be constructed during the year.
Transport Infrastructure and Nsanje World Inland Port Development
90. Mr. Speaker, Sir, let me now turn to Transport Infrastructure and Nsanje
World Inland Port Development. In the 2011/12 Budget, this priority area has
been allocated resources amounting to K32 billion. Of these resources, K10.9
billion are resources for the maintenance and rehabilitation of City and Municipal
roads in our Cities and Municipalities.
91. Mr. Speaker, Sir, Development Part II road construction projects have been
allocated resources amounting to K13.7 billion. In the Central Region, roads that
will benefit from these resources include: construction & upgrading of Msulira-
Nkhota-kota Road with an allocation of K1.3 billion; design, tendering and
award of contracts for Lilongwe City West Bypass (Bunda Turn-off - Chinsapo -
Kaunda Road) with K80 million; the periodic maintenance of the M1 road where
focus will be between Lilongwe and Nsipe with an allocation of K850 million; the
Presidential Way extension to Area 18 Roundabout to Paul Kagame Junction and
the Parliament Building to Kamuzu Central Hospital roundabout with an
allocation of K650 million; upgrading and construction of Lumbadzi-Dowa Road
has been allocated K800 million; finalizing the Bunda –Mitundu Road with an
allocation of K40 million; Mtunthama-Wimbe-Kapelula-Nkhotakota Road with an
allocation of K500 million; and design, tendering and awarding of contract for the
Ntcheu-Tsangano- Mwanza road.
92. In the Northern Region, the roads to be constructed using these resources
include; the Karonga - Chitipa Road; rehabilitation of Chiweta - Mlowe road with
K120 million; rehabilitation of Kasitu - Rupashe - Kakwale road with K180
million; upgrading and construction of Jenda – Edingeni with an allocation of
K500 million; rehabilitation of Mzuzu-Bulala-Usisya road with K500 million;
construction of Mzimba-Eswazini-Mzarangwe road with K1.3 billion; and
construction of Ekwendeni-Ezondweni-Mtwaro-Njakwa Road with K600 million.
93. In the Southern Region, roads to be constructed include Chikwawa – Nchalo
road with an allocation of K500 million; Zomba-Jali- Phalombe-Chitakale road
with K550 million; Thyolo-Thekerani-Muona Bangula road with K900 million;
Zomba - Blantyre road; feasibility study for Chilinga-Mloza Road, upgrading of
Chiradzulu - Chiringa road with K1.5 billion; finalizing works of upgrading
Malowa-Goliati Chiperoni road; upgrading of Bangula - Nsanje Road; Mwanza –
Chapananga - Chikwawa road; and rehabilitation of Illovo – Midima Roundabout.
As for the dual carriageway on Masauko Chipembere Highway in Blantyre, works
are in progress and expectations are that works will be completed by July 2012.
94. In the aviation sector , K320 million has been set aside for the continuation
of the maintenance and upgrading works at the two International Airports of
Chileka and Kamuzu; K200 million has been allocated for the acquisition of
Airport Navigation System for KIA; and K60 million has been provided for the
upgrading of the Geodetic system. In the Rail sector, K200 million has been
allocated for the continuation of rehabilitation works of railway infrastructure. In
the Marine sub sector, K130 million has been put in the Budget for the
construction of a Jetty at Likoma and rehabilitation of Jetty at Nkhata-Bay. The
Shire Zambezi waterway has been allocated K150 million for feasibility study of
the water way, physical planning activities such as plot demarcation, and
supervision of phase II works by Government.
Integrated Rural Development
95. Mr. Speaker, Sir, under the Integrated Rural Development priority area, the
2011/12 Budget has an allocation of K2.5 billion for the Rural Infrastructure
Development Program and K600m for the Development of Rural Growth Centres.
The Rural Growth Centres to benefit from these resources include; Nthalire in
Chitipa, Neno, Nambuma in Lilongwe, Chitekesa in Phalombe, Malomo in
Ntchisi, Mkanda in Mchinji, Chapananga in Chikhwawa and Jenda in Mzimba.
The Budget has also allocated K200 million for the development of Urban and
Rural markets in various districts.
Constituency Development Fund
96. Government will continue with the implementation of small projects under
the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) for general constituency
development. In the 2011/12 budget, in order to further promote development at
the local level, the Constituency Development Fund has been increased by K1
million per constituency, bringing the total to K4 million per constituency.
Government expects that these funds will be used in the most prudent manner in
line with the laid down procedures for the benefit of the people we are
representing in this August House.
Local Development Fund
97. The Government will continue to implement projects under the Local
Development Fund with resources that will be locally generated and from donor
resources. A total allocation of K4.9 billion has been earmarked for the Local
Development Fund. Of this amount, K1.1 billion is from locally generated
resources while K3.8 billion is from Development Partners. Under the
Community Window, K1.7 billion has been allocated out of which K700 million
is for the construction of 1,000 primary school teachers’ houses while K180
million is for the reconstruction of 100 school infrastructure projects under the
crisis response programme, and formation of 1,000 community savings and
investment groups.
98. Under the Local Authority Window, K660 million has been allocated for
public works programme and 220,000 people are expected to benefit.
99. Under the Urban Window, K1.7 billion has been allocated to support local
economic developments where about 6,000 (with at least 30 percent female
headed) households are expected to increase their average incomes by 20 percent;
4,000 small business start ups; and 80 physical infrastructure and investments will
be put up.
100. The Performance Window has been allocated K868 million to financially
support 6 local Councils for the enhancement of local Governance at National,
Local Authority and Community levels.
101. Considering that access to these resources are competitive and they depend
on the quality of project proposals, I wish to urge fellow Members of Parliament
to work with our respective communities and Councils to come up with those
winning proposals which can be financed by these resources.
Public Health, Sanitation and HIV/AIDS Management
102. In the area of Public Health, Sanitation and HIV/AIDS Management, the
2011/12 Budget has allocated K43 billion. The Development Budget alone has
been allocated K5.5 billion up from K3.5 billion in 2010/11 Budget. Councils
have been allocated K10 billion and this is almost a billion Kwacha higher than
the allocation for 2010/11 Fiscal Year. Resources to Councils are for delivering
health services in District hospitals and health facilities across the country. As
the Honourable House is aware, Government has changed its HIV/AIDS drug
combination from those that have been observed to have more side effects to those
deemed to have fewer side effects. Although these new combinations are
relatively expensive, Government has considered it necessary to procure these
drugs to ensure better health for all affected citizens.
103. Mr. Speaker, Sir, the increased Development Budget expenditures in the
health sector will be used for the following projects: K1.1 billion is for the
construction of houses for health care workers; K350 million is for the
rehabilitation of Zomba Central Hospital; K300 million is for construction of
Laboratories; K350 million is for the construction of the New Phalombe District
Hospital; K800 million is for the construction of New Nkhata-Bay District
Hospital; K250 million is for the construction of the New Dowa District Hospital;
K50 million is for Cancer Center; K100 million is for the rehabilitation of Nsanje
hospital; K150 million is for rehabilitation and upgrading of Health facilities;
K100 million is for the rehabilitation of Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital; K120
million is for the rehabilitation of Kamuzu Central Hospital. Construction of New
Chikhwawa District Hospital has been allocated K50 million to cater for the
designs of the hospital; Zomba Referal Hospital has been allocated K50 million
for infrastructure improvements; and K250 million has been allocated for
procuring various medical equipment including Dialysis machines, scanners,
ventilators and other equipments for Intensive Care Units at referral hospitals such
as Kamuzu Central, Queen Elizabeth and Mzuzu Central.
104. Mr. Speaker, Sir, the 2011/12 Budget has also allocated K500 million to
cater for the training of Nurses and other Medical personnel at the Malawi College
of Health Sciences and CHAM Colleges. This is a continuation of the support
Government started in 2010/11 Fiscal Year, and Government intends to sustain
this support for the foreseeable future. Basic Emergency Obstetric Care (BEmOC)
has also been allocated K180 million and these resources are to be used for the
care of women and newborns during pregnancy, during delivery, and the time
after delivery, and to respond to unexpected complications during delivery.
105. Mr. Speaker, Sir, listening to what I have just said, Honourable Members
may agree with me that this is the largest investment in the Health Sector in one
Fiscal Year. This has been done in order to rehabilitate, construct and improve
infrastructure for health service delivery in the country. Honourable Members
will notice from the Budget Documents that we intend to make comparable large
scale investments in the health sector infrastructure in 2012/13 and 2013/14. Over
time, Mr. Speaker, Sir, I have no doubt that this approach will radically change the
face and effectiveness of our hospitals across the country. It is the expectation of
Government that as infrastructure is being rehabilitated and improved, our people
will also take good care of these structures and where possible the private sector
and other organizations can also join Government in improving our hospitals.
Youth Development and Sports
106. Under Youth Development and Sports, Mr. Speaker, Sir, Government will
continue to implement activities and programs that ensures that the Youth actively
participate in social economic development of the country. To this effect, the
Youth Enterprise Development Fund (YEDEF) loans will continue to benefit
more Youths. Approximately, K1 billion has been earmarked for disbursement to
various Youth Groups in 2011/12 Fiscal Year. Government will also improve the
Neno Youth Centre using K80 million which has been allocated in the 2011/12
Budget. Government will also improve various sporting infrastructure including;
Kamuzu Stadium which has been allocated K260 million; Mzuzu Youth Centre
K20 million; Indoor Sports Complex in Lilongwe has received K30 million and
rehabilitation of other sporting facilities amounting to K30 million.
Construction of Public Buildings
107. Mr. Speaker, Sir, the 2011/12 Budget also has resources for the construction
of Public Buildings. The Budget has K600 million for the construction of various
structures around the International Conference Centre and Five Star Hotel. An
amount of K600 million has been provided for the construction of a Government
Complex building at Capital Hill to ease pressure of office accommodation. Once
completed, some of the Ministries and Departments that are housed outside
Capital Hill will be moved into this building and therefore will reduce expenditure
on office rentals. The Budget also has K400 million for the construction of a
Commercial Court in Blantyre. Government also plans to conclude a loan
agreement with the Republic of China for the construction of a state of the art
Judicial Complex in the City of Lilongwe within 2011/12 financial year. The
Budget also has K400 million for the construction of a new Maximum Security
Prison in the City of Lilongwe to replace Maula Prison. This project once
completed will ease the pressure of bed space in our Prisons. A sum of K150
million has also been allocated for the construction of Prison Cells and Staff
Houses in the Malawi Prison Service. K115 million has also been allocated in the
Budget for the refurbishment of Magomero College and K50 million has been
allocated for the construction of Hostels for the Neno Elderly Care Centre.
108. In addition to these infrastructures, the 2011/12 Budget has also allocated
resources towards specialized programs and projects in Government. One such
program is the National Registration exercise which has been allocated K240
million which will be used for the development and distribution of 3,000 copies of
regulations and operating procedures for national registration. The other program
is the E-Government Project which has been allocated K100 million. Through this
program, Government will be increasing the information communications and
technology (ICT) capacity in government so that information sharing and storage
among government departments and officials is brought up to speed with the best
practice in the region.
REVENUE POLICY MEASURES FOR 2011/12 BUDGET
109. Mr. Speaker, Sir, let me now turn to the tax and non tax revenue policy
measures underpinning the domestic revenues which will finance the 2011/12
Budget. The policy measures under Customs and Excise Tax are effective from
midnight tonight whereas the Value Added Tax (VAT) and all other Taxation
measures will become effective on 1st July, 2011.
110. Mr. Speaker, Sir, Honourable Members, the revenue policy measures that I
am about to announce for the 2011/12 Budget are designed to achieve the
following key national objectives:
• To broaden the tax base and increase tax compliance through the
streamlining and simplification of the tax structure in conformity with best
practice;
• To protect the Malawi society from hazardous practices such as dumping
and alcohol abuse by minors;
• To address climate change and other environmental challenges that the
country is facing due to deforestation and carbon emissions; and
• To enhance revenue collection through the pricing of services rendered by
Government Ministries and Departments in a manner that reflects prevailing
market conditions.
NON TAX REVENUE MEASURES
Departmental Fees and Charges
111. On Non Tax Revenues, Mr. Speaker, Sir, Government has revised fees and
charges collected on services rendered by various Ministries and Departments, in
order to achieve cost recovery thereby improving service delivery by these
Ministries and Departments. The Ministries and Departments that will have their
fees and charges revised include; Departments of Physical Planning, Surveys and
Lands under the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Department
of Culture and Department of Parks and Wildlife under Ministry of Tourism and
Parks, Ministry of Labour and Departments of Registrar General, Immigration
Department (excluding passports), Geological Survey, Mines, Malawi Police
Service, Civil Aviation, Marine, Judiciary, Fisheries and Office of Director of
Public Procurement.
Re-afforestation Levy
112. Mr. Speaker, Sir, another measure in the area of non-tax revenue is the
introduction of a re-afforestation levy of 0.2 US cents per kilogramme of tobacco
bought and will be levied on buyers of tobacco. This levy will be collected by
Tobacco Control Commission on behalf of the Government. The Honourable
House will agree that our forest reserves are being depleted at an alarming pace,
thus an immediate response to manage and replant more trees is paramount. The
tobacco industry has been targeted due to high usage of wood products by tobacco
industry.
TAX REVENUE MEASURES
113. Mr. Speaker, Sir, allow me to present tax measures for the 2011/12 fiscal
year as follows:
INCOME TAX MEASURES
Investment and Other Allowances
114. Mr. Speaker, Sir, allow me to inform this August House that currently there
are companies that make profit but declare tax losses as a result of investment
allowances and other incentives that Government grants them. These losses are
carried forward for as long as the company offsets the tax loss. Sometimes this
takes more than 5 years. Mr. Speaker, Sir, to ensure that these companies
contribute to Government coffers, a minimum tax will be re-introduced for all
business entities, including individuals in sole proprietorship, partnership and
companies, that make a loss for tax purposes. The minimum tax rate will be 1%
of turnover, for turnover under MK50, 000,000 and 2% of turnover for turnover
greater than MK50, 000,000.
115. Mr. Speaker, Sir, consistent with the foregoing, Government has reduced
Investment allowances from 100% to 40% for new and unused industrial
buildings and plant and machinery; and from 40% to 20% for qualifying used
assets for sectors such as manufacturing, tourism, energy and agriculture.
116. Mr. Speaker, Sir, Honourable Members may wish to note that for many
years, a training allowance has been granted to companies as an allowable
expense in addition to the actual expenditure on training. This led to a double
subsidy to companies on training expenses resulting in the depletion of the
revenue base through direct deductions and declaration of tax losses in some
cases. Accordingly, training allowance as an allowable expense has been
abolished; however the actual expenditure on training will remain an allowable
deduction.
117. In the same vein, Mr. Speaker, Sir, Government has reduced International
transport allowance from 25% to 15%; however, the actual expenditure on
international transport will remain an allowable deduction. Mr. Speaker, Sir, allow
me to inform this August House that Government will continue to monitor the
efficacy of these allowances to ensure that they are rational and justifiable.
Withholding Taxes
118. Mr. Speaker, Sir, the Honourable House will recall that in the last budget
statement, Government abolished the issuance of Withholding Tax Exemption
Certificates to suppliers of foodstuffs and other goods. This measure yielded good
results since the suppliers were encouraged to submit returns and comply with
their tax obligations. On the other hand, Mr. Speaker, Sir, this measure gave the
tax administrators the opportunity to develop a risk profile of tax payers. It is in
this regard, Mr. Speaker, Sir, that Government will re-introduce the issuance of
Withholding Tax Exemption certificates to compliant taxpayers in order to
facilitate their business transactions. Criteria for issuance of the certificates will
be developed by the Commissioner General of the Malawi Revenue Authority
which will include all of the following requirements:
• The applicant has timely filed an income return for all the years since
commencement of the business;
• The applicant has paid all outstanding taxes due including VAT and Customs
duties;
• The taxpayer has been audited for tax purposes; and
• The applicant has complied with any special or general directions or has
fulfilled any special conditions which the Commissioner General considers
necessary.
Tax Clearance Certificates
119. Mr. Speaker, Sir, as Honourable Members are aware, there are now many
business transactions that have to be approved by Government Ministries and
Departments. Most of these approvals are granted without ensuring that all taxes
due have been paid. This results in revenue losses, thereby depriving Government
of the much needed domestic resources. In order to address this challenge,
business entities will now be required to produce a valid Tax Clearance Certificate
to be issued by the Commissioner General of the Malawi Revenue Authority for
the following transactions:
• Externalization of funds to non- resident service providers whose source is
deemed to be Malawi;
• Renewal of Temporary Employment Permits;
• Renewal, extension or transfer of mining license or transfer of a mineral
right by Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources;
• Renewal of Tourism Licence by Ministry of Tourism;
• Renewal of Energy Licence by MERA;
• Renewal of Telecommunications licenses by MACRA;
• Change of ownership of a company;
• Renewal of the registration of public transport conveyances at Road Traffic
Directorate; and
• Renewal of any other business licences issued by Government Ministries
and Departments including other Statutory Regulatory bodies.
Income Tax
Pay as You Earn (PAYE)
120. Mr. Speaker, Sir, this Government recognises the need to increase the
disposable income of low income earners. This does not only improve the savings
culture by the society, most of whom are unbanked, but also improves their
standard of living through increase in purchasing power. It is in this regard, Mr
Speaker, Sir, that this Government has decided to increase the tax free lump sum
in the PAYE threshold from K10, 000 to MK12, 000 per month . The next MK
3,000 will be taxed at 15% and the rest at 30% as is currently the case.
121. Mr. Speaker, Sir, in the same spirit, Government will also increase the
threshold for withholding tax paid on casual labour from MK 500 to MK 12,000
per month to be consistent with the new PAYE threshold. This measure will not
only increase the disposable income of Casual Labourers but align their pay to the
PAYE bracket.
122. Mr. Speaker, Sir, the 14th schedule of the Taxation Act provides for casual
labour or services as being liable to withholding tax. In order to simplify
implementation of this provision and to avoid the current interpretation problems,
an amendment will be made to separate casual labour and services as standalone
items liable to payment of withholding tax at 20% as stipulated under this
schedule.
Rental Income
123. Mr. Speaker, Sir, to a large extent, most landlords neither declare their rental
income nor submit returns on the same, whilst the withholding tax rate has been
low for some time now. It is in this regard that Government has increased the rate
of withholding tax on rentals from 10% to 15%. This will encourage landlords to
submit returns on their rental income where all relevant expenses are deductible
and tax payable is determined. Mr. Speaker, Sir, let me encourage individuals or
landlords to submit returns to benefit from the claims that may be derived upon
the computation of allowable expenses for tax purposes.
Capital Gains from Sale of Shares
124. Mr. Speaker, Sir, under the current taxation law, capital gains from sale of
shares traded on the stock exchange which have been held for more than a year
are exempted from income tax. This August House will appreciate, Mr. Speaker,
Sir, that the trading of shares has been going on in the country for a long period,
therefore time is now ripe to lift this exemption. In this regard, capital gains from
the sale of shares will be subject to taxation regardless of the time of disposal.
Export Processing Zones
125. Mr. Speaker, Sir, this Honourable house is aware that companies operating
in Export Processing Zones (EPZs) are given various incentives under the
Customs and Excise, VAT and Income tax. Let me elaborate, Mr. Speaker Sir,
that besides all the incentives under the Customs and Excise and VAT, the current
law exempts these companies’ profits from paying corporate tax. Mr. Speaker,
Sir, in order to uphold the integrity and fairness of the tax system, Government
has reviewed some incentives applicable to EPZs as follows:
• All companies under EPZ will be subject to the standard corporate tax at
30% as provided in the Taxation Act.
• The additional 15% investment allowance given to companies operating
under EPZ will be abolished.
However, all other incentives provided to EPZs under the Customs and Excise Act
will remain applicable.
VALUE ADDED TAX
126. Mr. Speaker, Sir, let me now turn to Value Added Tax measures.
127. Mr Speaker, Sir, due to regional integration commitments under SADC and
COMESA, trade taxes are being phased out and Governments have now to
increasingly rely on domestic taxes such as VAT since trade taxes will no longer
be a significant source of revenue. It is therefore, inevitable and best practice that
VAT which is considered as the primary future tax should be simple and clean, in
terms of rates and exemptions.
128. Mr. Speaker, Sir, in order to remove distortions in the VAT structure,
operations and transactions, there is need to introduce VAT on various goods that
were previously exempt. In this regard, Mr. Speaker, Sir, a standard VAT rate of
16.5% has been introduced on the following goods which were previously
exempt: water supply, ordinary bread, meat and edible meat offal, milk and dairy
products, residues and waste from food industries, saw dust and wood waste,
newspapers, hessian cloth, machinery and mechanical appliances and spare parts,
and fees, charges, commissions, and discounts on financial services. Mr. Speaker,
Sir, some of the transactions in the financial sector such as banking and life
insurance services will continue to be VAT exempt. However, it should be noted
that the banking sector may not claim their input VAT. On the other hand, Mr.
Speaker, Sir, medical machinery which will remain VAT exempt.
129. Mr. Speaker, Sir, allow me to explain that the net impact of introducing
16.5% VAT on the above mentioned exempt items is that the price would in effect
go down because most registered VAT operators will now be able to claim input
VAT which was previously a cost to their business. In this regard Mr. Speaker,
Sir, I would like to appeal to the Consumer Association of Malawi as well as other
regulatory institutions to assist Government in ensuring that traders do not take
advantage of this measure to raise prices.
130. Mr. Speaker Sir, Government is introducing VAT at the standard rate of
16.5% on motor vehicles for transport of goods which are less than 15 tonnes,
industrial and construction machinery and spare parts, trailers, semi trailers, and
table salt. These products were previously zero rated.
131. Mr. Speaker, Sir, Government would like to promote local manufacturing
and increase the availability of hospital syringes, as these are critical for the health
sector. Government will, therefore, zero rate syringes for VAT purposes.
Similarly, other furnishing articles and sand fly nets which were previously
exempt will be zero rated for VAT purpose.
132. Mr. Speaker, Sir, the other measures being presented under VAT are aimed
at aligning the VAT Act with the Taxation Act. In this regard, Government has
amended the VAT Act to cater for penalties to third parties who fail to comply
with garnishment. The amount of penalties for compounding of offences will be
increased from MK 50, 000 to MK 100, 000.
133. Mr. Speaker, Sir, Customs Procedure Codes (CPCs) have been used by
Government to promote growth of targeted sectors such as education and transport
by allowing the duty free importation of various items. Indeed, as a country, we
have seen expansion in most of these sectors over the past few years. However, as
an exit strategy and part of cleaning up of the VAT system, Government intends
to introduce the standard rate of VAT of 16.5% on the following goods which
were zero rated under various CPCs: goods carrying motor vehicles for the
horticultural enterprise, educational, health, tourism institutions and NGO’s,
passenger carrying motor vehicles for NGO’s, motor vehicles for faith based
organisations, motor vehicles for new and returning residents, sports equipment
imported by the Malawi National Council of Sports, goods for use in water
supply, goods for use in electricity generation and distribution, and goods for use
by Government. However, Mr Speaker, Sir, donations of whatever description to
Government, as well as pharmaceuticals will remain zero rated for VAT purpose
under this CPC. Mr. Speaker, Sir, it is important to state that the other incentives
under Import duty and Excise tax will continue to apply for these CPCs.
134. Mr. Speaker, Sir, for the remaining CPCs, Government will convert the zero
rated goods into exempt; unless the concerned entity produces a product or offers
a service on which the standard VAT rate of 16.5% is already applicable. The full
list of the VAT status on goods under CPCs will be produced by the MRA in a
Government notice.
EXCISE TAX
135. Mr. Speaker, Sir, allow me to now turn to Excise tax measures.
136. Mr Speaker, Sir, as Honourable Members may recall that, in the 2010/11
budget, we increased Excise Duty on alcohol and cigarettes in order to address the
increased inflow of cheap alcohol and cigarettes which not only hurt the local
industry but also encourages alcohol abuse. Mr. Speaker, Sir it is worrisome to
note that the problems still exist and to address this problem further, Government
has introduced a single specific Excise tax on Cigarettes regardless of the type of
packaging. Imported cigarettes will attract a specific Excise duty rate of US$30
per 1000 sticks while cigarettes with more than 70% local content will attract an
Excise tax of US$15 per 1000 sticks. Mr. Speaker, Sir, Excise tax on other
cigarettes and other manufactured tobacco will be increased to 200%.
137. Mr. Speaker, Sir, Excise tax on all alcoholic beverages has been increased
by 10%. In addition, alcohol packed in sachets and plastic bottles will now attract
an Excise duty of 150%. This measure is designed to assist in addressing the
problem of alcohol abuse by minors. Honourable Members should be aware of
the extent of this problem in our country. Mr. Speaker, Sir, I wish to appeal to all
Government Ministries and Departments to put in place administrative measures
to control the distribution, sale and consumption of alcohol by minors.
138. Mr. Speaker, Sir, in order to control the use of industrial alcohol for the
production of alcohol, Government will impose strict conditions for the purchase
and use of ethanol produced for industrial, pharmaceutical and scientific purposes.
139. Mr. Speaker, Sir, this Honourable House will appreciate the abundant forest
resources that this country is endowed with. It is important, Mr Speaker Sir, that
we not only avoid depletion of these resources but control and benefit from their
use. It is in this regard Mr. Speaker, Sir, that Government has introduced an
Excise tax of 50% on locally used timber. Exported timber will attract an Export
Duty of 100% of export value. Government has an obligation to protect its
remaining forest reserves. Honourable Members only have to travel to
Chikangawa Forest in Mzimba to see the extent of deforestation taking place at
that Forest reserve. These measures must therefore be seen in that context.
140. Mr. Speaker, Sir, this August House is aware that still mineral water attracts
an excise duty where as flavoured mineral water doesn’t. In order to create
fairness in the taxation of this product, Government has therefore introduced an
excise duty of 20% on flavoured mineral water.
141. Mr. Speaker, Sir, Government continues to honour its commitment to
address climate change issues through the reduction of pollution and dumping
caused by the proliferation of old motor vehicles. Government has, therefore,
increased Excise Duty on passenger carrying vehicles which are more than 8 years
old by 10% and those that are less than 8 years old with engine capacity of greater
than 2000 CC by 5%.
142. Mr. Speaker, Sir, in order to protect the Malawi society from dumping,
Government has introduced a 25% Excise duty on rags and Excise duty on used
clothing, furniture and toys has been increased to 25%.
143. Mr. Speaker, Sir, this Government recognises the importance of agriculture
and it intends to vigorously promote Agricultural production and processing. It is
in this regard, Mr Speaker, Sir, that Government has removed Excise tax on sacks
for packing agricultural produce. Mr Speaker, Sir as will be presented later import
duty on the same has been reduced from 25% to 15%.
CUSTOMS DUTIES
144. Mr. Speaker, Sir, let me now turn to Customs measures that will be
implemented in the 2011/12 Budget.
145. Mr. Speaker, Sir, as this August House is aware, the commendable economic
progress which the country has achieved in the recent years has led to an increase
in non-commercial travelling amongst the public. The threshold for raising a bill
of entry is currently at MK 50, 000. The requirement to raise a bill of entry
implies that the traveller has to engage a customs clearing agent to clear their
goods through customs. Considering the growth in the number of travellers whose
documents have to be processed, there is need to raise the threshold so as to
increase efficiency in the clearance process and give some relief to travellers. In
view of this, Mr. Speaker, Sir, Government has raised the minimum requirement
for raising a bill of entry from MK 50, 000 to MK 100, 000.This will apply to
non-commercial consignments only.
146. Mr. Speaker, Sir, as Honourable Members are aware, Government removed
duty on mobile phones which has tremendously improved access to mobile
telecommunication services by rural communities. Government intends to
compliment this development by removing customs duty on solar cell phone
chargers.
147. Mr. Speaker, Sir, as presented earlier, Government has reduced import duty
on sacks used to pack agricultural produce from 25% to 15% in order to
encourage farmers to use quality packaging material for their produce.
148. Mr. Speaker, Sir, as stipulated earlier in my presentation, Government will
continue to protect this country from dumping and encourage local production in
targeted sectors of the economy. It is in this regard, Mr. Speaker, Sir, that duty on
rags has been increased from 10% to 25%.
149. Mr. Speaker, Sir, in order to encourage local production of flour for bread
and confectionery and to ensure that local producers of the same become
competitive, Government will increase import duty on wheat flour and meslin
flour from 5% to 20%.
150. Mr. Speaker, Sir, transaction costs for the Malawi Revenue Authority when
conducting inspections and processing customs documents have risen over time.
In view of this Government has increased the Destination Inspection Fees and
Processing Fees to MK 25, 000 and MK 5, 000 respectively.
CUSTOMS PROCEDURE CODES (CPCs)
151. Mr. Speaker, Sir, I will now turn to the measures under Customs Procedure
Codes.
152. Mr Speaker, Sir, this Honourable House will recall that Government
introduced a special requirement note under CPCs that sets a limit of 5 years after
which motor vehicles which had been cleared duty free or at concessionary rates,
would cease to be under Customs control. Mr. Speaker, Sir, Government has
removed this special requirement. This implies that duty will become payable at
the disposal value if the motor vehicles are disposed off at any time to any
individual/or institution without duty free privileges. This measure is meant to
align these transactions with that of other vehicles which attract duty.
153. Mr. Speaker, Sir, in order to expand the tax base and encourage prudence in
expenditure, the CPC for goods which are used by Government will be amended
to allow duty free importation of only donations and pharmaceuticals. Mr.
Speaker, Sir, this measure implies that Government will have to pay duty on all
other goods that were previously covered under this CPC.
154. Mr. Speaker, Sir, let me turn to the Customs Procedure Code for enterprises
operating under Export Processing Zones. This Scheme was established to
promote exports of non traditional products and attract foreign direct investment.
However, over time Government has noted abuse and limited benefits of this
facility contrary to the intended objectives. Some enterprises under this scheme
sell goods on the domestic market without paying the necessary duties. In
addition, goods not related to the production of exports have been imported duty
free. In order to avoid this abuse, and ensure that only goods directly related to
export production are admitted duty free, Government has amended the CPC for
Export Processing Zones to limit the coverage to only raw materials and capital
machinery used in the direct production of exports.
155. Mr. Speaker, Sir, I wish to inform Honourable Members that there has been
a tendency by exhibitors at our International Trade Fairs to sell their goods on the
local market without payment of relevant duties. Mr. Speaker, Sir, to curb abuse
of this facility, Government has amended the CPC for imported trade samples of
negligible commercial value to allow only samples that are not fit for use.
156. Mr. Speaker, Sir, Government will introduce concessionary rates of 10%
duty and standard rate of 16.5% VAT on motor vehicles for new as well as
returning residents, while used apparel and household items will remain duty and
VAT free. This will ensure that new and returning residents pay taxes and make a
modest contribution to the budget towards provision of Government Services. It
has been observed that the duty free facility has been subject to abuse.
157. Mr. Speaker, Sir, the CPC for foreign nationals who come to Malawi as
Administrative and Technical Personnel will be amended by setting a time period
of 6 months within which duty free privileges will apply. The goods that will be
imported under this CPC will also be reduced to articles of apparel, other
household effects, a motor vehicle and a caravan for each family. Mr. Speaker,
Sir, this measure aligns this CPC for Administrative and Technical Personnel with
the provisions under the notification on first arrival privileges.
158. Mr. Speaker, Sir, in order to stop abuse and protect revenue, goods
imported under the CPC for Non Governmental Organisations will be limited to
foodstuffs, used clothing, used footwear, blankets, soap and toiletries for use by
persons in need or distress.
159. Mr. Speaker, Sir, Honourable Members are aware that Temporary
Importation Permits (TIPs) are issued for motor vehicles which are meant to be re-
exported. However, this facility has been grossly abused where motor vehicles
have been disposed off without payment of duty and fake TIPs have been used. In
order to stop this malpractice, Mr. Speaker, Sir, Government has introduced a
fine of not less than 50% of the value for duty, due to failure to re-export the
motor vehicle that previously entered on a TIP.
160. Mr. Speaker, Sir, Government recognises the increased trend in foreign
travel by Malawians. It is in this regard that we have increased the travel
allowance for non-commercial goods bought by residents when they travel outside
Malawi from MK20, 000 to MK 50, 000. This will assist travellers to have more
relief on dutiable goods when they return home.
161. Mr. Speaker, Sir, in order to encourage banks to provide banking services to
remote parts of the country, Government will create a new CPC that will allow
commercial banks, registered by the Reserve Bank of Malawi, to import mobile
banking vans, Auto Teller Machines and point of sale devices, free of customs
duty and Excise tax. However, VAT will be payable. It is Government’s
expectation, therefore, Mr. Speaker, Sir, that Banks will expand their network to
rural areas and reduce fees and charges for rural customers. This measure will be
regulated in conjunction with the Reserve Bank of Malawi and shall apply for one
year and will be subject to review.
162. Mr. Speaker, Sir, I wish to inform the Honourable House that most of the
Customs Procedure Codes have to-date served their purpose since their
introduction. We also have evidence Mr. Speaker, Sir, that some of the CPCs have
been abused. Government, will, therefore, delete CPCs for car hire companies, the
telecommunications industry and the CPC that allowed duty free importation of
photocopiers by NGOs. This implies that these companies and organisations will
now be liable to full duty payments as stipulated in the law.
163. Mr Speaker, Sir, as part of the streamlining Section XXII of the Customs
and Excise Tariffs Order, the CPC for dairy farming will be deleted because items
under this sector are already duty free in the main tariff.
TAX LEGISLATION
164. Mr. Speaker, Sir, I wish to inform this Honourable House that in the course
of the year, all tax legislation will be reviewed in line with best practice as
follows:
• All measures granting income tax incentives will be enacted in the Taxation
Act; similarly, measures granting Customs and VAT incentives will be
enacted in Customs and Excise Act and Value Added Tax Act respectively.
• Implementation of Section 13 of the Pension Act, 2011 which deals with
taxation will be deferred to coincide with the review of the Taxation Act.
However, taxation of Pensions and Provident Funds will continue to be
guided by the provisions of the Taxation Act.
165. Mr. Speaker, Sir, in the 2011/12 fiscal year, Government will align the
validity period for keeping records to 6 years in all tax legislation. In addition,
Government will amend the Customs and Excise Act to introduce penalties on
offences which include non payment, late payment, underpayments, late
submission of returns, non submission of returns, submission of incorrect returns,
refer to drawer cheques, and refusal or resistance to register under the Domestic
Excise Tax. This provision is already included in both the Taxation Act and the
VAT Act.
166. Mr Speaker, Sir, in the course of the year Government will develop a Capital
Gains Act to regulate capital gains taxation as a separate tax.
TRADE AGREEMENTS
167. Mr. Speaker, Sir, Government is committed to aligning the national tariff to
the COMESA Common External Tariff (COMESA CET) and the COMESA
Common Tariff Nomenclature (COMESA CTN).
168. Mr. Speaker, Sir, Government is also committed to fast tracking the process
of phasing down tariffs under the Southern Africa Development Community
(SADC) Free Trade Area in order to reap the economic benefits of deeper
integration and regional trade. This measure in line with our regional
commitment under SADC.
CONCLUSION
169. In conclusion, Mr. Speaker, Sir, what I have presented before this August
House this afternoon, is a ZERO DEFICIT BUDGET which has presented a
radical paradigm shift in the manner we prepare and implement the National
Budget in Malawi. The Budget has decisively tackled the challenges that we are
facing in this country and provided concrete solutions to them. It has firmly dealt
with waste in public spending and shifted resources towards infrastructure
developments of the country, hence, a Pro- Development Budget as opposed to a
Consumption Budget. The Budget has also substantially increased allocations to
social sectors of the economy such as education, health and agriculture making it a
genuinely Pro-Poor Budget. It has also balanced social spending with economic
growth sector spending in order to sustain and stimulate further the economic
boom the country has enjoyed since 2004 when His Excellency the State President
took over the leadership of this Country. Simply put, this Budget has it all, ‘Zero
Deficit, Pro-Poor, Development Oriented and Investment-friendly Budget’.
170. Mr. Speaker, Sir, as I said at the beginning, for me to come up with this
radical Budget, I got a lot of input and contributions from people from all walks of
life in this country including; the Malawi Cabinet; the General Public;
Development Partners; Members of Parliament from various Committees; Private
Sector Organisations; members of various Academic Institutions and Students;
representatives from the Children’s Parliament; Civil Society; Public Servants in
various Ministries, Departments and Institutions, the Business Community and
more importantly members of staff from my ministry. While on one hand I
sincerely acknowledge and thank everyone for the contributions made, I wish to
reiterate that the journey has just begun. The success of this radical Budget truly
and surely rests on all of us playing our meaningful and rightful roles and
contributions. I therefore wish to call upon everyone to join us in this fascinating
journey.
171. To our Colleagues in the Development Community, I have this to say to you.
While on one hand we have instituted austerity measures to root out waste in
public spending and manage our public resources better, on the other, we
acknowledge that our country is still developing and it must have all the resources
to make it grow fast enough for the benefit and prosperity of all. This being the
case, every support that your Governments give us will be cherished and put to
good use. The success of this Budget, therefore, also hinges on the degree to
which you will assist us. To the Controlling Officers in Public Institutions, you are
placed in those positions by the people of Malawi on trust. It is therefore expected
of you that at all times you will make wise decisions and prudently use resources
under your trust for the good of this Nation. Austerity measures are not to punish
anyone, rather to assist in the development of this Country. We therefore expect
that you will strictly follow all the expenditure control measures Government has
instituted, failing which, disciplinary and the long arm of the law will have to take
their course as provided for in various legal instruments including the Public
Finance Management Act.
172. To the Business Community, the General Public and everyone, the
responsibility of developing this Country rests with all of us. On its part,
Government will provide a conducive and enabling macroeconomic environment
for private businesses and ventures to flourish; provide legislation which will
make the regulatory environment more conducive and finally, Government will
provide the necessary infrastructure and public services for the well being of the
businesses, society and way of life. On your part, it is expected that you will take
advantage of all the public goods and services and engage in legally acceptable
private investments and businesses that are going to improve your livelihoods and
therefore assist in the development of this Country.
173. In that spirit, Mr Speaker Sir, let me add that if Malawi is to continue
growing at the high rates that we have been witnessing in the past six years, it is
critical that productivity of labour and capital continue to grow. However, we can
not achieve productivity growth if the private sector does not play its rightful role.
While Government has provided the enabling legal, institutional and operational
framework, a conducive and economically stable environment for private sector
development, it is incumbent upon the private sector to be innovative and
competitive, and to seize opportunities that Malawi’s stable economic and
political environment affords. Indeed, while the Government has come up with
legal framework for Public Private Partnerships, it is up to the private sector to
capitalise on this favourable development. I wish to call upon the private sector to
compliment Government’s efforts to increase productivity and sustain the high
rate of economic growth which in turn will contribute towards job creation and
poverty reduction.
174. In addition, Mr. Speaker, as the old adage goes, we either adapt or die. This
budget has not only acknowledged problems of availability of foreign exchange
but also has brought to the fore the need for Malawi to be strategic and diversify
its economy and export base. Tobacco has carried us a very long way and for a
long time but Malawi needs to be realistic in accepting how global health
concerns and other economic issues are impacting this industry and the
livelihoods of our people and the economy. While acknowledging that we will
continue to rely on tobacco in the foreseeable future, this budget has outlined and
justified the need for a more diversified economy and exports sector. To that end,
we have allocated resources to cotton development and we are still exploring other
non-agricultural avenues, including small-scale mining and will allocate even
more resources if we get any bankable ideas worth pursuing. To our partners in
the private sector, I invite you to join Government on this quest for transformation
as we move from reliance on traditional crops and traditional sources of foreign
exchange toward newer and more reliable sources.
175. On this note, Mr. Speaker, Sir, with these remarks, and with the greatest
humility, I beg to move
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