CHIEF Government Spokesperson Chushi Kasanda says Cabinet has approved the Draft Budget for 2022 which will set into motion the implementation of UPND programmes.

In a statement on the decisions made by Cabinet at the second Cabinet meeting held on Monday, Kasanda encouraged citizens to attentively listen to the Budget Speech as it is presented in the National Assembly on Friday.

She said her government aimed to put in place measures to restore macroeconomic stability, attain fiscal and debt sustainability, among other measures.

“The President of the Republic of Zambia Mr Hakainde Hichilema called for the 2nd Cabinet Meeting on Monday, 25th October, 2021, to discuss the first-ever 2022 National Budget for the New Dawn Government. The Constitution of Zambia, at Article 202 (3), states that “In a year where a general election is held, the Minister responsible for finance shall cause to be prepared and laid before the National Assembly, within 90 days of the swearing in of the President, estimates of revenue and expenditure for the Republic for the next financial year.” Therefore, in line with this Constitutional provision, Cabinet met to discuss the Year 2022 Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure. Cabinet approved the Draft Budget for the Year 2022 that was presented by the Minister of Finance and National Planning which sets out the beginning of the implementation of the developmental programmes spelt out in the United Party for National Development Manifesto,” stated Kasanda.

“The Budget is premised on the recognition that in 2021, the country was faced with challenges that slowed down growth coupled with high inflation and high debt levels exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, going forward, in 2022, the New Dawn Government aims to set in measures to restore macroeconomic stability, attain fiscal and debt sustainability, restore growth, improve human development and assist in realising the aspiration of becoming a prosperous middle-income country in line with the overarching objectives of the Draft Eighth National Development Plan. The Draft 2022 Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure shall be presented in the National Assembly on Friday, 29th October, 2021 by the Minister of Finance and National Planning. I wish, therefore, to encourage fellow citizens and our partners in development, to attentively listen to the Budget Speech for more details as the New Dawn administration embarks on its journey of developing our Nation, working together in unity, for the good of our country.”