Rolling P24bn budget deficits until 2020

Jeffers.PIC: KEOAGILE BONANG
Jeffers.PIC: KEOAGILE BONANG

Botswana will incur rolling budget deficits amounting to P24.7 billion for the next three financial years to boost growth through fiscal stimulus but economists are sceptical about the sustanability of a mineral- led economy spending its way out of an economic downturn.

Largely due to a P4 billion rise in development expenditure, government’s spending is expected to outweigh revenues in the 2017-2018 financial year by P6.8 billion or -4.1% of the GDP.

Deficits of similar magnitudes are seen until 2019 before the budget shortfall declines to -2.2% in 2020.

Editor's Comment
The corrupt must be punished

The findings reveal a disturbing pattern of misconduct and lack of transparency that cannot be ignored.The Tribunal, led by Judge President Justice Kabelo Lebotse, has rightly condemned the Ministry for its eyebrow raising conduct in awarding a P1.8 billion water tender to China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (Pty) Ltd and Zhong Gan Engineering & Construction Corporation (Pty) Ltd.The award was made despite alleged clear evidence that...

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