Abel says Government optimistic about implementing budget

By LUKE KAMA
THE Government, through the Treasury Department and Treasury Ministry, is working hard to ensure this year’s budget is successfully implemented, Deputy Prime Minister and Treasurer Charles Abel says.
Abel said the mid-year economic and fiscal outlook, which will soon be released by Treasury, would provide some insight into the execution of this year’s budget.
“At this stage, we are not looking at a supplementary budget so much,” he said.
“After looking at the effects of the earthquake and other factors in terms of oil prices and revenue collections, the 2018 Budget still looks okay. But every day is a new day and it is not easy running this country economically.”
Abel said the country’s economy, after going through a trying time, needed some breathing space to recover.
“We hope and pray that we do not experience disruptions to our revenue source,” he said.
“We don’t need any more shocks, earthquakes, droughts, volcanoes and natural disasters.”
Abel said foreign exchange was coming in, business activities and employment opportunities were picking up and the Government was working hard to get the country’s finances back in order.
“If we continue to have issues with our revenue source, then we can’t deliver the 2018 budget,” he said.
“So we are monitoring the situation and when it becomes obvious that we need a supplementary, we can have a supplementary budget.
“But I don’t want to have any more supplementary budgets and have tried very hard to deliver the 2018 Budget.”