Professional Documents
Culture Documents
14 July 2010
1
Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION .............................................................................................................. 7
Recalling STERP I & II .................................................................................................. 8
GLOBAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTS ................................................................... 13
Inflation ......................................................................................................................... 16
Commodity Prices ......................................................................................................... 17
Metals and Minerals ................................................................................................. 17
Crude Oil .................................................................................................................. 18
Agricultural Commodities ......................................................................................... 19
Implications for Developing Countries ......................................................................... 22
SECTORAL DEVELOPMENTS ..................................................................................... 23
Agriculture .................................................................................................................... 25
Cereal Production .................................................................................................... 26
Mining ........................................................................................................................... 30
Diamonds .................................................................................................................. 36
Manufacturing ............................................................................................................... 37
Food, Beverages & Tobacco..................................................................................... 38
Cotton, Clothing & Textiles ...................................................................................... 38
Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals ................................................................................. 39
Metal Industry ........................................................................................................... 39
Leather Industry ........................................................................................................ 40
Fertilizer ................................................................................................................... 40
Tourism ......................................................................................................................... 41
Construction .................................................................................................................. 43
Consumption & Investment .......................................................................................... 43
Inflation ......................................................................................................................... 44
Financial Sector ............................................................................................................ 46
Zimbabwe Stock Exchange ....................................................................................... 49
External Sector .............................................................................................................. 51
FISCAL DEVELOPMENTS ............................................................................................ 53
Revenue......................................................................................................................... 54
Value Added Tax (VAT) ............................................................................................ 55
Customs Duty ............................................................................................................ 55
Pay As You Earn (PAYE) .......................................................................................... 56
Corporate Tax ........................................................................................................... 56
Excise Duty ............................................................................................................... 57
Mining Revenue ........................................................................................................ 57
Other Taxes ............................................................................................................... 57
Non-Tax Revenue ...................................................................................................... 58
Expenditure ................................................................................................................... 58
Recurrent Expenditures ........................................................................................... 60
Employment Costs ..................................................................................................... 60
Civil Service Wage Bill ............................................................................................. 61
Operations and Maintenance .................................................................................... 63
Payments to Service Providers ................................................................................. 64
2
Foreign Travel .......................................................................................................... 64
Foreign Missions ...................................................................................................... 65
Social Service Delivery ............................................................................................. 65
Grants and Transfers ................................................................................................ 66
Capital Expenditures ..................................................................................................... 67
Energy....................................................................................................................... 67
Transport .................................................................................................................. 69
Road Dualisation ...................................................................................................... 69
Airports Infrastructure .............................................................................................. 69
Railway Infrastructure .............................................................................................. 70
Road Maintenance .................................................................................................... 70
Water and Sanitation ................................................................................................ 72
Agriculture Support .................................................................................................. 73
Telecommunications ................................................................................................. 77
Housing ..................................................................................................................... 77
Vote of Credit ............................................................................................................... 78
STRUCTURAL CHALLENGES ON THE ECONOMY ................................................ 80
Reconstruction .......................................................................................................... 80
Equitable Growth ...................................................................................................... 81
Stabilisation .............................................................................................................. 81
Lack of Capital.......................................................................................................... 82
Foreign Direct Investment ........................................................................................ 83
The Liquidity Crunch and the High Cost of Money .................................................. 83
Lack of Fiscal Space ................................................................................................. 84
Debt Overhang .......................................................................................................... 85
Management of Public Resources ............................................................................. 86
Lack of Project Implementation Capacity ................................................................ 86
Skills Gap .................................................................................................................. 87
Energy ....................................................................................................................... 87
High Cost of Utilities ................................................................................................ 90
Other Tariffs.............................................................................................................. 90
Labour Costs ............................................................................................................. 91
Land Utilisation ........................................................................................................ 91
Infrastructure ............................................................................................................ 93
Human Development ................................................................................................. 93
Environmental Protection ......................................................................................... 93
Hyperinflation Hangover .......................................................................................... 94
Accountability over Public Resources ...................................................................... 94
Common Vision ......................................................................................................... 94
Business as Usual Mentality ..................................................................................... 95
REVISED MACRO-ECONOMIC FRAMEWORK ........................................................ 95
POLICY INTERVENTIONS ........................................................................................... 99
Inflation ....................................................................................................................... 102
Duty on Basic Commodities .................................................................................... 104
Lines of Credit ............................................................................................................ 104
Available Facilities in the Second Half of 2010 ..................................................... 106
3
Diaspora Bond ........................................................................................................ 106
SADC Support ......................................................................................................... 107
Foreign Direct Investment .......................................................................................... 107
Leveraging Mineral Resources ................................................................................... 109
Mineral Policy ........................................................................................................ 109
Mining Claims......................................................................................................... 110
Mineral Beneficiation ............................................................................................. 110
Mineral Taxation .................................................................................................... 110
Inter-Generational Fund ......................................................................................... 111
Diamonds................................................................................................................ 111
Rule of Law ............................................................................................................. 111
Commitment to the Kimberly Process..................................................................... 112
Sale of Diamonds within the Kimberly Process ...................................................... 112
Amendments to the ZMDC Act ................................................................................ 113
Diamond Act ........................................................................................................... 114
Past Diamond Sales ................................................................................................ 115
Public Utilities ............................................................................................................ 116
Debtors .................................................................................................................... 117
Wage/Revenue Ratios.............................................................................................. 117
Capitalisation.......................................................................................................... 118
Rationalisation of State Enterprises ....................................................................... 118
Over-sight over Public Utilities .............................................................................. 119
Public-Private Partnerships ......................................................................................... 120
Fuel Importation Transport Mode .......................................................................... 120
Review of Labour Laws........................................................................................... 121
Financial Sector Reforms ............................................................................................ 123
Central Bank Reforms ............................................................................................. 123
Currency Reforms ................................................................................................... 126
Smaller Denominations ........................................................................................... 126
Micro Finance Institutions ...................................................................................... 127
Lender of Last Resort .............................................................................................. 127
Securities Market ........................................................................................................ 128
Securities Rules & Regulations............................................................................... 128
Central Securities Depository ................................................................................. 128
Automated Trading System ..................................................................................... 129
Insurance and Pensions ............................................................................................... 130
Debt Relief Strategy & Process .................................................................................. 130
Debt Management Office ........................................................................................ 131
Multi Donor Trust Fund .............................................................................................. 132
Aid Coordination and Management........................................................................ 133
Data Availability ......................................................................................................... 134
Revenue Retention Funds ........................................................................................... 135
POTRAZ Universal Service Fund ........................................................................... 137
Public Shareholding................................................................................................ 141
Reserve Fund .......................................................................................................... 142
EXPENDITURE RATIONALISATION........................................................................ 143
4
Recurrent Expenditure ................................................................................................ 144
Outstanding Bills to Service Providers ................................................................... 144
Social Protection..................................................................................................... 145
Foreign Service Payments ...................................................................................... 145
Other Recurrent Expenditures ................................................................................ 146
Capital Expenditure .................................................................................................... 146
Energy ..................................................................................................................... 146
Debtors .................................................................................................................... 147
Maintenance Fund .................................................................................................. 148
Pre Payment Meters ................................................................................................ 149
Water and Sanitation .............................................................................................. 149
Transport ................................................................................................................ 150
Aviation ................................................................................................................... 150
Rail .......................................................................................................................... 150
Social Service Delivery ........................................................................................... 151
Education ................................................................................................................ 151
E-learning ............................................................................................................... 152
PUBLIC EXPENDITURE MANAGEMENT ................................................................ 153
Public Finance Management Legal Framework ......................................................... 153
Public Finance Management Act ............................................................................ 153
Audit Office Act ....................................................................................................... 154
Public Finance Management System .......................................................................... 155
Quality Assurance ................................................................................................... 155
Equipment Procurement ......................................................................................... 156
Training................................................................................................................... 156
Internal Audit Training ........................................................................................... 157
District Roll Out...................................................................................................... 157
Help Desk ................................................................................................................ 157
Curbing Accumulation of Bills................................................................................ 158
Vehicle Hire ............................................................................................................ 158
Loss of Public Assets............................................................................................... 159
Tendering ................................................................................................................ 160
Advance Payment .................................................................................................... 161
Contract Management ................................................................................................. 162
Non Performing Contractors .................................................................................. 162
Electronic Funds Transfer ........................................................................................... 163
REVENUE MEASURES ............................................................................................... 164
Redrafting of the Income Tax Act ........................................................................... 164
VAT Fiscalised Recording of Taxable Transactions .............................................. 165
Electronic Cargo Tracking System ......................................................................... 166
Revenue Enhancing Measures .................................................................................... 167
Tax Exemptions and Deductions ............................................................................. 167
Suspension of Duty on Motor Vehicles Imported by Tourist Operators................. 167
Rebates of Duty which no longer reflect Policy Priorities ..................................... 168
Taxation of the Mining Sector .................................................................................... 169
Review of Royalties on Minerals............................................................................. 169
5
Export Tax on Unprocessed Chrome ...................................................................... 170
Special Initial Allowance ........................................................................................ 171
Fees, Charges and Fines .............................................................................................. 171
Fines on Motor Vehicles Used to Smuggle Goods.................................................. 171
Relief Measures .......................................................................................................... 172
Regional Integration ............................................................................................... 172
Duty on Competing Products Imported under SADC ............................................. 173
Suspension of Duty on Inputs used by the Local Industry ...................................... 174
Review of Suspension of Duty on Basic Commodities ............................................ 175
Dumping of Sub-standard Imported Products ........................................................ 177
Rebate of Duty on Fiscalised Electronic Tax Registers and Fiscal Memory Devices
................................................................................................................................. 178
Duty on Textiles, Clothing and Footwear ............................................................... 178
Administration of Certificates of Origin ................................................................. 179
Export of Scrap Metal ............................................................................................. 180
Alternative Energy Sources ........................................................................................ 180
Excise Duty ................................................................................................................. 181
Bond Requirements for Excisable Products ........................................................... 182
Pay As You Earn (PAYE)........................................................................................... 183
Tax-Free Threshold ................................................................................................ 183
Remittance Date ...................................................................................................... 183
Value Added Tax ........................................................................................................ 184
Remittance Period ................................................................................................... 184
VAT Zero Rating - Day Old Chicks ........................................................................ 184
Withholding Taxes ...................................................................................................... 185
Non-Resident Tax on Remittances .......................................................................... 185
Capital Gains Tax ....................................................................................................... 186
Withholding Tax on Unlisted Securities ................................................................. 186
Penalties for Late Payment of Tax .............................................................................. 186
Departmental Practice Notes .................................................................................. 186
Tax Amnesty ............................................................................................................... 187
Dispute Resolution, Objections and Appeals.............................................................. 188
Customs Administration ............................................................................................. 188
Transit Fraud .......................................................................................................... 188
Pre-Clearance of Goods ......................................................................................... 189
Re-organising ZIMRA ................................................................................................ 190
ZIMRA Structure ..................................................................................................... 190
CONCLUSION ............................................................................................................... 191
6
And what the land is, whether it
be fat, or lean, whether there be
wood therein, or not. And be you
of good courage, and bring of the
fruit of the land. Now the time
was the time of the first ripe
grapes. [Numbers 13:20]
INTRODUCTION
7
Sir, providing an assessment of economic performance under
the Inclusive Government over the past seventeen months.
8
(STERP) as a critical tool in addressing the fundamental
economic challenges and dis-equilibriums affecting and
arresting the country.
9
11. The Vision of this Framework was to build a dynamic, stable
and sustainable developmental economy whose objectives as
read together with the 2010 National Budget were:
10
14. Apart from the National Vision, it was recognised that the rule
of law, restoration of basic freedoms and democracy were a
necessary precondition for sustained economic recovery.
16. Over and above this, it was recognised that fiscal discipline was
critical for stabilising the economy and, hence, the adopted
principle of living within our means. Therefore, the Revised
2009 Budget of 17 March 2009 made it clear that “What we
Gather is what we Eat”.
17. The net effect of the above was the attainment of substantial
stabilisation of the economy in 2009, with huge gains
particularly in the following areas:
• Inflation reduction;
• Improved capacity utilisation in productive sectors of
agriculture, mining and manufacturing, from below 10%
to around 30% to 50%;
• Removal of price distortions in both foreign exchange and
goods markets;
11
• Resuscitation of financial sector services;
• Some improvement in public service delivery, particularly
in the areas of water and sanitation, transport, health and
education sectors;
• Improvement in social protection programmes for
vulnerable groups;
• Overall business confidence building;
• Policy consistency and predictability on key policy
fundamentals;
• The enactment of key legislation dealing with credibility
and accountability over the use and management of
public resources; and
• Re-engagement with the international community.
18. Mr Speaker Sir, the above economic gains achieved in 2009 are
under threat of being eroded owing to a number of challenges
during the first half of 2010.
12
20. It is imperative that a new paradigm be adopted during the
second half of 2010. In our view we have to go back to basics
and abandon the “business as usual” mentality. This
economy requires Regeneration, Revival and Refocusing.
These three Rs, should underpin the basis of a frontloaded
growth in the second half of the year.
13
23. The global economy is beginning to show some signs of
emergence from the devastating economic crisis of 2008/2009,
against the background of global financial cooperation, extra-
ordinary fiscal stimulus policy interventions, capital injections
into failing financial institutions, lowering of borrowing costs, as
well as greater labour markets flexibility.
24. However, no sooner was Africa and the rest of the world
beginning to emerge from the global economic crisis was the
world hit by the Euro zone debt crisis, initially centred around
the Greek economy. Concerns also remain over the
performances of other economies, including Spain and
Portugal.
25. The responses of the Euro zone countries to the new debt crisis
have been dramatic and decisive. In Greece for instance, an
Emergency Economic Protection Act was passed on 28 March
2010, generating savings of €4.8 billion that benefitted from
public wage reductions.
14
was to address structural budget deficits through cuts in budget
spending, anticipated to amount to savings of 6.3% of GDP by
2014 – 2015. To raise revenue, VAT was also reviewed from
17.5% to 20%, while capital gains tax rose to 28%.
15
30. If sustained, global economic recovery should underpin
anticipated improved growth of over 4.5% in 2010 for Sub
Saharan Africa. This would also be on the back of continued
implementation of strong fiscal and monetary policies. Last
year, at the height of the global financial crisis, growth for the
sub-region was an estimated 2%.
Inflation
16
Commodity Prices
35. Similarly, platinum prices which had declined from US$1 566.5
per ounce in 2008 to US$1 153.8 in 2009 have been on a
recovery path, reaching US$1 530 in June 2010.
17
36. Nickel prices, which had slumped from US$21 000 per tonne in
2008 to US$10 471 in the first quarter of 2009, recovered
remarkably to US$26 031 by the first quarter of 2010.
Crude Oil
18
37. On the negative, oil prices have since been rising in tandem
with the recovery in the global economy to levels averaging
US$78.71 per barrel by the first quarter of 2010.
38. Crude oil prices had succumbed to the effects of the global
economic crisis, falling sharply from US$96.99 per barrel in
2008 to US$44.11 by March 2009.
Agricultural Commodities
19
40. This compares unfavourably with an average of US60 cents and
US42 cents offered to local cotton growers in 2009 and 2010,
respectively.
20
42. Grain commodity prices, however, remain depressed with the
international price of maize falling sharply from US$223.1 per
tonne in 2008 to stabilise at around US$165 in 2009 and 2010.
21
Implications for Developing Countries
22
SECTORAL DEVELOPMENTS
52. Our original growth projection for 2010 was 7%. However,
fragile prospects for recovery in economic performance demand
a reduction of this figure. We have, thus, revised our growth
projection for 2010 to 5.4%.
23
53. The revised projection figure of 5.4% should not be taken for
granted. A “business as usual” mentality will certainly
guarantee a further downward revision.
24
Source: CSO, Ministry of Finance & the Reserve Bank
Agriculture
57. In the current season, some 86.5 million kgs of tobacco have
been sold at an average price of US$2.98 per kg by end June
2010. This compares with last year’s auction floor sales of 55.6
million kgs at an average price of US$3.01 per kg during the
same period.
25
59. Depressed cotton prices and financing constraints in 2009
undermined cotton production which decreased from 246 000
tonnes in 2009 to 172 000 tonnes in 2010.
Cereal Production
26
62. Recovery in cereal production, including maize, during the
2009/2010 agricultural season benefitted from improved
support, timely availability of inputs through the open market
as well as the liberalised marketing environment, which
enhanced viability of farming and boosted overall confidence.
63. The upturn in maize production when taken together with other
grains resulted in an increase in cereal production from 1.51
million tonnes to 1.52 million tonnes against a national
requirement of 1.95 million tonnes, giving a cereal deficit of
432 540 tonnes.
27
66. Of the financial support to A2 farmers, Government, in
conjunction with commercial banks secured credit facilities
totalling US$82.9 million for inputs through the GMB.
28
71. These supported over 738 000 vulnerable households under the
input pack scheme, where each household received two 50kg
bags of fertilizer, one AN and one compound D, as well as 10kg
of maize seed.
Winter Wheat
74. By the end of the planting season on 31 May 2010, only 10 000
ha had been put under wheat, against the targeted 30 000 ha.
29
Mining
77. As a result, realised output during the first half of 2010 has
prompted downwards revision to overall mining sector growth
from 40% to 31% in 2010. Most of this growth is underpinned
by continued bullish mineral and metal prices.
Mineral Production
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
Jan Feb Mar Apr
Gold (t) 13.45 10.80 6.80 3.07 4.97 0.61 0.57 0.76 0.52
Nickel (t) 9.47 9.20 9.25 6.35 4.86 0.55 0.48 0.53 -
Coal (t) 3,468.94 2,200.00 2,600.00 1,701.60 1,606.32 193.01 194.18 158.16 140.00
Asbestos () 123.15 110.00 115.00 11.49 5.50 0.86 0.63 0.36 0.10
Chrome (t) 831.88 690.00 693.45 442.58 201.00 0.04 0.04 0.04 0.04
Platinum (t) 4.56 5.19 5.30 5.50 6.86 0.79 0.68 0.75 -
Gold Production
30
Chrome Production
Nickel Production
31
Platinum Production
Coal Production
32
Asbestos Production
33
Nickel Production: 2005 - 2009
34
Coal Production: 2005 - 2009
35
Shipments Contribution by Minerals for the first half of 2010
Diamonds
36
78. A total of over 4.4 million carats were produced since the
beginning of the year to May 2010 from the country’s four
diamond mines, which includes Mbada, Canadile, Murowa and
River Ranch.
Manufacturing
81. Notable exceptions have, however, been noted in the food and
beverages sub-sector where major gains in capacity utilisation
have left some firms operating at about 70%.
37
83. This has sustained production costs at relatively high levels,
with negative implications on the general competitiveness of
domestic manufactured goods against imports from the region
and beyond.
85. In line with the other sectors, challenges relate to erratic power
and water supplies, coupled with shortages of working capital
resources.
38
88. Other challenges facing clothing and garment manufacturing
include lack of investment, which is constraining industry
efforts to modernise plant and adopt newer and more efficient
technologies. In the absence of this, competition over the
domestic as well as export markets will intensify.
Metal Industry
39
metals sub-sector. Zisco accounted for 80% of raw materials
required in the production of steel and other related products.
Leather Industry
Fertilizer
95. The fertilizer and chemical industry has a strong impact on both
agriculture and manufacturing sector performance. Currently,
about 32% of fertilizer supplies are produced locally, while the
balance are imports.
40
000 tonnes produced in 2009 to 100 000 tonnes by the end of
2010.
Tourism
97. In the first half of 2010 the distribution, hotels and restaurants
sector which grew by an estimated 6.5% in 2009 showed
further positive signs of growth, recording increased tourist
arrivals, average room occupancy (37%) and overall earnings.
98. Arrivals to March 2010 were up 0.7% to 319 788 over the first
quarter of 2009. To year end, tourist arrivals are projected to
remain upward against the background of sustained macro-
economic and social stability.
99. The market share for the overseas market stood at 12% in first
quarter of 2010. Europe remains the major contributor to the
overseas market arrivals in first quarter of 2010 having
contributed 42% of the overseas market despite a 43%
decrease in tourist arrivals from the region. America has the
second largest overseas market share (22%) after Europe.
41
the first quarter of 2010, with South Africa alone accounting for
76%.
42
101. Overally, the tourism sector is expected to grow by 3.5%
during the year 2010.
Construction
43
105. Similarly, aggregate investment growth is forecast to also
decelerate to 26.8% in 2010. The slow down in investment is
attributed to inadequate efforts to mobilise domestic savings,
exacerbated by the “wait and see attitude” of investors linked
to the perceived uncertainties related to the Indigenisation and
Empowerment Regulations.
(% Change)
Final Consumption 4.3 -2.4
Private Consumption -4.4 -5.5
Government Consumption 618.9 26.8
Inflation
44
Consumer Price Inflation monthly % changes
3.0
2.0
1.0
0.0
M 09
M 10
Se 9
M 9
09
A 9
M 10
A 9
A 0
D 9
Fe 9
O 9
N 9
Fe 0
9
0
9
-0
0
l-0
-0
-1
-0
0
0
-0
1
-0
-1
-0
-1.0 -
-
b-
n-
b-
n-
p-
n-
pr
pr
ug
ov
ct
ar
ar
ay
ay
ec
Ju
Ju
Ja
Ja
-2.0
-3.0
-4.0
-5.0
-6.0
CPI annual % chg eop CPI food inflation
Source: CSO CPI non food inflation
108. However, during the second quarter of 2010, the exchange rate
between the rand and the US dollar had stabilised.
45
in both the domestic and export markets. The impact on our
already income constrained consumers would be further resort
to lower priced imported products, with adverse consequences
for local production and employment.
Ma 0
Sep 9
Au 9
Ma 9
Ma 0
Ap 9
Ap 0
Fe 9
-09
No 9
Fe 0
De 9
8
9
9
0
r -0
r -1
g- 0
l-0
b-0
n-0
b-1
r- 0
r- 1
-0
t-0
-1
v-0
c-0
c-0
y-0
y-1
Jan
Jan
Ju
Oc
Ju
De
Tradables
Non Tradables
Source: Based on CSO CPI data All Items
Financial Sector
110. With regards to the financial sector, the challenges remain the
limited domestic deposit base to gradually improve the capacity
of banks to provide meaningful credit to the private sector.
46
Banking Sector Deposits and Loans
0.5 20
10
0.0 -
M 09
0
A 9
Se 9
09
M 0
A 9
D 9
A 0
O 9
N 9
Fe 0
9
Ja 9
-1
l- 0
-0
1
-0
-1
-0
0
-0
1
-0
-0
-
n-
b-
p-
n-
pr
pr
ct
ug
ov
ar
ar
ay
ec
Ju
Ju
M
111. This has meant that although there has been some increase in
bank lending throughout the first half of 2010, most loans
remain short term (90 days or less) with longer-term loans
accounting for less than 3% of the overall deposits. This has
created serious challenges for the provision of longer-term debt
capital thereby, limiting the intermediary role of the financial
sector.
47
Banking Interest rates on loans and deposits
0
-0 9
-1 0
-1 0
-0 9
9
0
9
9
0
r -0
r -1
l- 0
g-0
t- 0
r- 0
r- 1
v -0
c -0
y -0
y -1
Jun
Jan
F eb
S ep
Ju
Ap
Ap
Oc
Au
De
Ma
Ma
No
Ma
Ma
Source: RBZ Deposit Rates Lending Rates
Spread
48
S ec toral Dis tribution of L oans
30%
25%
20%
15%
10%
5%
0%
r
ls
g
is t
g
re
e
in
ce
rin
ua
tio
th
tu
D
in
i
tu
ul
c
v id
O
rv
M
&
tru
ac
Se
ric
di
s
uf
ns
an
Ag
In
an
Co
Tr
M
114. Trading on the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange has largely been low,
mainly due to market illiquidity in the first half of the year.
49
117. The Tables below illustrate trading at the Zimbabwe Stock
Exchange:
118. The industrial index which started the year at a high of 156.52
had dropped to 127.46 by June 2010, whilst the mining index
fell from an opening of 209.8 to 143.08.
50
Zimbabwe Stock Exchange Indices
External Sector
123. Total exports for the first four months of 2010 were US$870
million against imports of US$1 544.5 million, resulting in a
trade deficit of US$675 million.
51
first half of 2010 will make it more difficult to finance the trade
and current account deficits.
70.0
60.0
50.0
40.0
% of GDP
30.0
20.0
10.0
0.0
-10.0
-20.0
-30.0
2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
Years
Balance of Payments 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 Est. 2010 Proj.
52
(US$ Mil) (US$ Mil) (US$ Mil) (US$ Mil) (US$ Mil) (US$ Mil)
Current Account (excl.official
transfers) -549 -365 -243 -779 -928 -1326
Non factor services (net) -109 -121 -143 -207 -32 -55
Memorandum items:
FISCAL DEVELOPMENTS
53
US$300 million falls far short of the projected shortfalls in the
Vote of Credit US$810 million financing of the original 2010
Budget expenditures of US$2.25 billion.
130. Developments during the first half of 2010 confirm that the
Vote of Credit has not performed at all. If not reversed, this
threatens to leave the 2010 Budget as originally outlined in an
unsustainable position.
131. This will simply mean that the Government will not be able to
fulfil on some of those programmes it set out to undertake.
Sadly, the bulk of the affected areas are in the key Public
Sector Investment Projects, provision of social services
including health and education.
Revenue
54
134. Cumulative tax revenue collections for the period January-June
2010 amounted to US$930.7 million, against a revised target of
US$830.5 million. VAT, Pay As You Earn (PAYE) and Customs
Duty contributed significantly to total revenue.
Customs Duty
55
136. Cumulative revenue collections from customs duty for the
period under review amounted to US$132.8 million or 14.3% of
total revenue, against a target of US$128.6 million. Revenue
collections from customs duty for the same period in 2009
amounted to 31.5% of total revenue. Significant progress
towards less reliance on trade taxes in preparation for
harmonisation under the regional integration programme has,
thus, been achieved.
Corporate Tax
56
positive performance is mainly on account of increased
estimated profit margins emanating from improved capacity
utilisation.
Excise Duty
Mining Revenue
Other Taxes
143. Revenue collections from other taxes for the period under
review amounted to US$54.9 million or 5.9% of total revenue.
57
Collections from domestic dividends and interest, other indirect
taxes and carbon tax contributed the bulk of revenue
amounting to US$16.1 million, US$14.5 million and US$13.3
million, respectively.
Non-Tax Revenue
145. Although the revenue head performed below target, there was
a significant increase in collections from fees and charges,
benefiting from the review at the beginning of 2010.
Expenditure
147. Total expenditures during the first half to June 2010 amounted
to US$813.4 million. Of this, US$720.5 million(89%) went
towards current expenditures, whilst US$123.7 million was for
58
capital development projects. The balance of US$32.4 million
was spent under the ZIMRA grant.
59
Recurrent Expenditures
152. The positive revenue performance during the past six months
should ordinarily have allowed us more flexibility in addressing
other critical expenditure issues affecting the country,
particularly infrastructure. However, this was not possible as
some budget items, particularly the wage bill continued to
crowd out social and development expenditures.
Employment Costs
60
Civil Service Wage Bill
61
156. The wage bill has been steadily growing over the last six
months, from an average of US$50 million over the first two
months, rising to US$55.1 million by June.
62
158. The current wage bill levels of around 60% of the total Budget
and 15% of GDP compromises both non-wage operational and
critical capital expenditures. Regional best practices indicate
levels of 30% of the total Budget and 10% of GDP.
63
Payments to Service Providers
Foreign Travel
64
161. Expenditure on foreign travel declined significantly to 10% of
operational expenditure in the period up to June 2010. This is
comparable to a share of 24% for the same period in 2009.
Foreign Missions
65
supplies, food, linen and improvement in the general ambiance
of the hospitals.
168. The achievements attained in the social sectors would not have
been possible without the much appreciated support from our
cooperating partners.
66
institutions, including Mission Hospitals and Parirenyatwa Group
of Hospitals received US$4.3 million.
Capital Expenditures
Energy
174. The focus of Budget intervention in the power sector during the
first half of 2010 has been to reverse decline in domestic
generation capacity particularly at Hwange Power Station.
67
Hwange Power Station
176. The above amount falls short of the US$125 million required at
Hwange Power Station in order to increase production from the
current 300 MW to 780 MW as well as achieve reliability of the
plant.
68
plant, an amount of US$14 million is required for refurbishment
and rehabilitation of plant and equipment.
Transport
Road Dualisation
Airports Infrastructure
69
which is due to be opened before the end of the year. I am
aware that CAAZ had requested resources for the construction
of the car park at J.M Nkomo Airport. Such a project is ideal
for public private partnership arrangement, CAAZ, therefore,
should start engaging the private sector in this regard.
Railway Infrastructure
Road Maintenance
187. For the first five months of this year, ZINARA has raised
US$23.2 million from toll and road access fees. Of this amount,
70
US$15 million has already been disbursed to the road
authorities for the maintenance of our road network as follows:
71
Nyanga 46,362
Pfura 137,655
UMP 23,632
Zaka 24,112
Zibagwe 34,000
Zvimba 2,070,809
GRAND TOTAL 14,707,961
72
to quantify the requirements for Mutare and Gweru City
Councils.
191. Interventions have also been made during the first half of the
year to accelerate efforts targeted at providing potable water
and promoting sanitation within our rural communities. This
includes addressing non-functional boreholes, central to
adequate rural water supply and sanitation.
Agriculture Support
193. Agriculture financing for the year was US$252.4 million broken
down as follows:
73
Capital _ 4,300,000 _ _ 4,300,000 30,906,600
Total 17,350,372 64,080,471 1,695,000 40,000,000 123,125,843 74,000,000 25,000,000
Summary US$
Cereal Production 222,125,843
Grain Procurement 30,280,000
o/w Total Government Funding 143,405,843
GMB loan 10,000,000
EU Support 25,000,000
Other Donors Funding 74,000,000
Total Support 252,405,843
196. Government is, however, aware of the fact that some farmers
still have crops in the field and are not ready for marketing due
to high moisture content, some have not yet received their
money from buyers with others having been adversely affected
by the uneven rainfall pattern.
74
197. It has also been observed that some farmers got more inputs
than required to hoard for the up-coming season and,
therefore, are failing to meet loan repayments from the past
cropping season.
199. During 2010, Budget support for agriculture will have to extend
to provision of resources in support of grain procurement from
farmers for the Strategic Grain Reserve through the GMB.
201. Last year, Government similarly capacitated the GMB with the
support of financial institutions to the tune of US$10 million to
procure 26 041 tonnes of grain for Strategic Reserves.
75
through the GMB 54 055 tonnes of grain of which 34 714
tonnes was maize whilst 19 342 tonnes was wheat.
76
207. This reduces pressure on the fiscus, allowing Government to
concentrate on mobilising resources for local maize purchasing
and movement to deficit areas.
Telecommunications
Housing
Institutional Accommodation
77
211. Institutional accommodation for Government Ministries remains
a major challenge.
212. It is, therefore, critical that on-going projects like Central and
District Registries, Lupane Composite be completed on time.
214. Given the lack of will power and urgency, being exhibited by
the implementing agencies for this particular project, Treasury
is, therefore, serving notice to redirect these resources towards
performing projects.
Vote of Credit
78
available in support of various programmes budgeted under the
Vote of Credit.
218. Of the total disbursed amount, health got the largest share of
about US$127 million for programmes related to the purchase
of drugs and combating of Malaria, Tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS.
79
stationery under the Education Transitional Fund. So far 5 300
schools have received stationery purchased under this Fund. In
addition, about 527 000 children benefited from the Basic
Education Assistance Module through payment of school fees
amounting to about US$2 million.
Reconstruction
80
Information Communication Technology (ICT). This is to
ensure that these utilities underpin overall economic
performance across the entirety of the productive sectors.
Equitable Growth
Stabilisation
81
224. To a large extent, a large part of the above objectives have not
been fulfilled. It is important to identify the challenges faced by
the economy to date.
Lack of Capital
226. The bulk of these resources can only come from external
sources in the form of both foreign direct investment and lines
of credit, given the current domestic resource constraints.
82
229. However, the country has not been able to attract meaningful
external support in the form of lines of credit, foreign direct
investment and donor support.
231. Zimbabwe has also not been able to attract meaningful foreign
direct investment in the past 18 months. Only US$852 million
was attracted in 2009 and, so far US$105 million has been
invested.
83
233. The domestic financial market continues to face liquidity
challenges, constraining lending which remains limited and
short-term at high rates of interest.
236. This situation leaves little room for high resource requirements
for the accelerated reconstruction agenda.
237. It is critical to bring the issue of the wage bill level in its proper
context against a background of a still fragile economy
characterised by low GDP and low domestic fiscal revenues.
84
social sectors of health and education as well as capital
development expenditure, which are included in the Vote of
Credit, in the face of uncertainty about donor financing of 2010
Budget priorities.
Debt Overhang
85
Management of Public Resources
242. Given the low fiscal revenues available for various public
expenditure programmes, mechanisms that ensure effective
utilisation become essential through enforcing accountability
using appropriate legal and institutional frameworks, in order to
derive maximum mileage.
245. In the same vein, the Civil Aviation Authority has not been able
to utilise the US$14 million earmarked for the rehabilitation of
taxiways at Harare Airport.
86
246. This also applies to projects under the Ministry of Health and
Child Welfare where from the R100 million availed for
revitalization of hospitals; only R20 million has been drawn
down, resulting in slow progress on the ground.
Skills Gap
248. The brain drain experienced during the last decade continues to
affect implementation of various projects and programmes as
well as operations of productive sectors.
Energy
250. The issue of electricity remains the elephant in the house as far
as this economy is concerned. The operational credibility of this
87
Government remains mulcited by its incapacity to deal with this
issue.
88
255. This will entail:
89
High Cost of Utilities
Other Tariffs
90
264. Recently, the State Procurement Board lost a case in Court for
awarding a tender to suppliers whose charges, though lower,
departed from minimum chargeable rates by security
companies.
265. Hence, a holistic review of all tariffs in both the public and
private sectors will be necessary.
Labour Costs
267. In the shoe industry for instance, Zimbabwe produces less than
one tenth of China’s total output at three times the cost.
268. Recently, the 60% NEC wage increase awarded for the poultry
industry was immediately translated into higher wholesale and
retail prices. Similar experiences are widespread across the
various NECs, with nominated arbitrators awarding wage
adjustments that have no bearing on maintaining regional price
competitiveness, industrial productivity and capacity to pay.
Land Utilisation
91
269. Agriculture remains a key sector to the economy, given its
share of GDP of 16.1% and as a main source of inputs for the
rest of other sectors of the economy.
92
be agriculture dependent but without security of tenure, then
all significant growth ambitions will remain unrealised.
Infrastructure
274. Since the 1970s, this country has seen a serious marginal
decline in Public Sector Investment Projects (PSIP).
275. The net effect of this disinvestment has been a collapse of road
and railway infrastructure, an erratic power sector that is not
able to provide more than 50% of the national demand. Our
outdated ICT places Zimbabwe behind regional standards in the
area of fibre optic network and new generation ICTs.
Human Development
276. The fundamental asset of any country is its people. Hence, the
matrix of our human development and social security strategy
needs to deal with access to primary health care, universal
primary education, provision of social safety nets and the main-
streaming of gender across all sectors.
Environmental Protection
93
degradation and dangerous mining practices. The payment of
lip service to the above module has corrosive effect on the
quality and quantity of the economy’s capacity to reproduce
and regenerate itself.
Hyperinflation Hangover
Common Vision
94
common vision must be based on common national interests,
national values, national opportunities and national threats.
95
positive performance in agriculture (10%), mining (40%),
manufacturing (10%) and tourism (10%). Consistent with this
GDP, an annual average inflation of 5.1% was, therefore,
anticipated.
96
therefore is now projected to grow by 31% from the original
40%.
97
% of GDP 18.6% 26% 31.7%
External Sector
Exports of Goods and
Services US$1.591 billion US$2.018 billion US$1.929 billion
98
Angola -0.6% 70.53 8,900 30.82 27.91 15.6% 40.5% 13.1% 16.8%
Botswana -5.2% 10.94 13,100 2.675 3.868 26.7% 30.3% 7.3% 17.9%
DRC 2.7% 11.23 300 0.700 2.000 16.7%
Lesotho -2% 1.643 1,700 0.563 0.675 39.6% 49% 8.5%
Malawi 5.9% 4.967 900 1.215 1.325 11.6% 53% 8.5% 58%
Mauritius 2.1% 9.264 12,400 1.857 2.190 23.3% 8% 3.4% 58.3%
Mozambique 4.3% 9.767 900 2.434 3.171 23% 70% 3.5%
Namibia 0.7% 9.145 6,400 2.759 2.913 22.7% 55.8% 8.8% 15.1%
Swaziland -0.4% 2.963 4,400 0.592 0.695 21.8% 69% 8.5%
Tanzania 4.9% 22.420 1,400 3.780 4.693 18.1% 36% 11.6% 24.8%
Zambia 4.5% 12.440 1,500 2.514 2.860 19.5% 86% 13.5% 31.5%
South Africa -1.8% 280.600 10,100 74.920 86.260 20.6% 50% 7.2% 35.7%
POLICY INTERVENTIONS
99
296. Under such circumstances, Zimbabwe is virtually on its own,
and requires “embracing a business-unusual approach” in
addressing current development challenges by leveraging its
own potential and available resources.
100
the efficiency of expenditures. The ring fencing of a substantial
part of generated revenues for critical capital development
projects will facilitate quick economic recovery.
101
304. In short, no stone should be left unturned in our quest to
Regenerate, Revive and Refocus this economy. As
indicated above, the thrust of this 2010 Mid-Term Fiscal Policy
Review is, therefore, to:
305. This will, above all, require consistency and predictability of our
policies and embracing a business-unusual approach.
Inflation
102
307. Containing inflation will also require removal of supply side
bottlenecks that constrain higher capacity utilisation levels in
our industries. These relate to mobilising working capital and
investment for productive sectors, removing inefficiencies with
public enterprises, particularly power and water and exercising
wage restraint across all the sectors.
308. In the public sector, this will require that we maintain the
Cabinet commitment to contain the public service wage bill at
current levels with any future reviews guided by economic
performance and improved revenue inflows. This stance will be
broadened to embrace public enterprises and local authorities.
103
309. Similarly, the private sector will be required to play its part
within the spirit of the Social Contract, which acknowledges the
necessity of relating salaries and wages to productivity.
Lines of Credit
312. Undoubtedly the key question affecting industry apart from the
high cost of utilities is clearly the absence of lines of credit and
indeed the high cost of money. In this regard, one of the key
functions of this Statement is the outlining of details on
available lines of credit that should help stimulate the economy
in the second half of the year.
104
disbursements of about US$656 million against the STERP
target of US$1 billion. The bulk of these resources benefited
mostly the mining followed by agriculture, financial,
manufacturing and the rest of the other sectors.
314. However, during the first five months of 2010, external support
has not been performing to expectations with only US$195.92
million having been disbursed, against commitments of US$605
million.
105
Facilities approved Disbursements
Sector (US$ millions) (US$ millions)
Agriculture 297.50 148.92
Manufacturing 115.00 13.00
Financial 76.00 19.00
Telecommunications 67.50 -
Mining 33.50 10.00
Tourism 11.10 -
Distribution 5.00 5.00
Total 605.63 195.92
Diaspora Bond
106
322. Over and above these lines of credit, Government in
conjunction with local commercial banks and Afreximbank is
arranging a “diaspora bond” amounting to US$50 million, which
should also benefit our productive sectors.
SADC Support
107
development, therefore, hinges upon the ability to attract
foreign direct investment.
328. In addition, our rating levels on key essential issues such as the
ease to start a business, tax legislation, credit availability,
property registration, the ease of obtaining employment
permits, trading across borders and judicial enforcement of
rights must simply improve.
329. This will require that we remain ready to deal with all the
concerns raised by friendly investors surrounding lack of clarity
and any lingering misconceptions over our amended
Indigenisation and Empowerment Regulations.
330. Quite clearly a new investment law is required that talks to the
many issues raised herein. Over and above this it is important
that a one stop shop for all investment is established in
Zimbabwe. The new Minister of Economic Planning and
Investment Promotion certainly has his work cut out for him.
108
Leveraging Mineral Resources
Mineral Policy
109
imperator of the creation of this Exploration, Registration and
Extraction Mining Register must be codified in the proposed
amendments to the Mining Act.
Mining Claims
Mineral Beneficiation
Mineral Taxation
110
341. Fourthly, the current legal structure codified in our Mining law
that the State can only look to corporate tax and royalties from
the mining sector is unsustainable.
342. The current debate the world over, more recently in Australia,
is an attempt by Governments to find a more equitable mining
taxation model that is not offensive to rational market
principles.
Inter-Generational Fund
Diamonds
Rule of Law
111
346. Firstly, it is important that whatever Zimbabwe does must
respect the rule of law and constitutionalism. This, therefore,
means that, the litigation with ACR must be concluded
preferably through a win-win solution.
348. In addressing the above issues, the KPCS and the Government
of Zimbabwe agreed on a Joint Work Plan, which was adopted
by Parties in the Swakopmund Plenary held in November 2009.
350. On 28 May 2010, the Monitor produced his report, the net
effect of which was to state that Zimbabwe had complied with
the minimum standards of KP certification scheme.
112
“Based on the evidence provided by the Government of
Zimbabwe and private investors, and on his firsthand
assessment of the situation, Zimbabwe has satisfied
minimum requirements of the KPCS for the trade in rough
diamonds. In terms of the Administrative Decision
adopted by the Swakopmund Plenary of the KPCS, the KP
Monitor is ready to supervise exports arrangements, in
close collaboration with the relevant Zimbabwean
Authorities and other relevant parties. The KP Monitor is
available to visit Zimbabwe to conduct certification under
the Supervised Export Mechanism at the invitation of the
Zimbabwean Ministry of Mines and mining Development.
He awaits a notification via electronic mail or fax.”
113
operations in Marange is restricted to revenues accruing by way
of a dividend.
Diamond Act
359. The proposed Diamond Act will also deal with the issue of
compensation and relocation of displaced communities in
114
Marange, including provision of the necessary social
infrastructure.
362. This will avoid the current opaqueness and suspicions over the
quality and actual value of resources being generated from the
current diamond mining operations in Marange.
SALES VOLUME
115
MMCZ MOP UP 531,222.01 525,167.76 5,513,134.49 6,054.25
Public Utilities
116
be improved generation of working capital from internal
operations.
Debtors
370. In the case of ZESA, improving revenue collection ratio will also
involve completing the upgrading of the billing system.
Wage/Revenue Ratios
117
372. In line with Cabinet guidelines over the deployment of
adequate revenue collections towards service delivery and
development, public entities including local authorities will be
required to observe the 30:70 ratio.
Capitalisation
118
377. The Ministry of State Enterprises and Parastatals will be
required to produce, working with line Ministries, case-by-case
time-framed implementation strategies for commercialisation
and privatisation during the last half of the year.
378. The biggest lacunae in our law governing both Local Authorities
and Public Utilities is that there is no oversight over their
recurrent budgets.
119
Authorities. Government will, thus, work on the relevant
legislation.
Public-Private Partnerships
120
the US$2.2 million monthly pipeline fee under the take-or-pay
arrangement.
121
meet salary and wage obligations some of which are awarded
by arbitrators.
395. It should be pointed out that any review of the labour laws
should be done in consultation with social partners and within
122
the context of the Social Contract. The Ministry of Labour and
Social Services is currently engaged in these consultations.
397. With the amendment of the Reserve Bank Act [Chapter 24:15]
and the subsequent appointment of the Reserve Bank Board,
the focus is now on implementing the requisite governance
reforms through restructuring, and downsizing of the Bank to
align it to core functions under the multi-currency regime.
123
399. Government has started working on the restructuring of the
Reserve Bank debt. The strategy entails hiving off the debt
from the Bank through a Special Purpose Vehicle with a view of
appropriately settling proven claims from sale of assets,
investment returns or allocated resources.
124
and the systemic risks stemming from inter-bank trading
exposures.
125
407. Government will, through the Reserve Bank, continue dialoging
with Bankers’ Association of Zimbabwe with a view of
narrowing interest rates spreads.
408. If the situation does not change, Government will have to take
corrective measures through the necessary Statutory
Instruments.
Currency Reforms
409. Mr Speaker Sir, Government has already stated that the current
multiple currency regime will prevail until 2012, and I wish to
re-confirm this policy position. Thereafter, currency reforms
will be guided by developments in macro-economic
fundamentals.
Smaller Denominations
126
412. Treasury will, therefore, be facilitating in the last half of 2010
the importation of foreign smaller denominations and coins.
127
416. In this regard, Treasury will ring fence resources to on-lend to
the Reserve Bank to enable the Bank to resume its lender of
last resort function.
Securities Market
128
419. The Securities Act mandates the Securities Commission of
Zimbabwe (SECZ) to provide for the development of free, fair
and orderly capital and securities markets in Zimbabwe.
421. This will ensure that the bulk of securities transactions are
processed in an electronic book entry form, thus, expediting the
settlement of equity transactions and ensuring adherence to
the International Organisation of Securities Commissions
(IOSCO)’s guidelines on securities settlements. This will
improve transparency, market integrity and combat money
laundering through improved regulatory oversight.
129
423. The current ZSE “open cry” manual trading system represents
risk of human error, settlement delays and undermine market
confidence. In this regard, the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange will
establish an automated trading platform by end of the year.
130
427. With regard to resolving the country’s debt overhang now
estimated at over US$6.7 billion, Government has already
adopted a Sustainable and Holistic Debt Strategy which entails
a homegrown holistic hybrid arrears clearance and debt
management model.
131
432. Such an enhanced institutional framework for public debt
management will be able to manage the national debt
effectively and plan for a level and rate of growth in the public
debt that is sustainable and consistent with a continued
improvement in the country's growth and capacity.
132
436. Consequently, the MDTF was established initially under the
coordination and administration of the Word Bank but could not
take off early owing to delays in developing the general
framework and guidelines for operationalising the Fund.
133
441. Treasury is, therefore, finalising an Aid Coordination and
Management Procedures Manual, which seeks to foster a
harmonised and coordinated approach towards development
assistance to Zimbabwe.
Data Availability
134
445. The CSO will in the last half of 2010, pursue to complete
various programmes which will culminate in the production of
the following surveys:
135
incentivise Ministries and Departments to follow-up on and
collect revenue due to the fiscus on a timely basis.
136
• non-compliance with provisions of the Constitutions that
regulate Fund management arrangements and
operations.
137
454. The funds of the Authority consist mainly of fees, charges and
other income accruing to the Authority from licences issued.
455. The Act provides that “any surplus of income over expenditure
at the end of the Authority’s financial year shall be appropriated
to the Universal Service Fund” established in terms of the same
Act.
457. Mr Speaker Sir, POTRAZ has not provided any concrete plan for
the utilisation of the funds except to indicate that US$6 994
816.52 is committed to specific projects as approved by the
Minister.
138
Minister responsible for POTRAZ, I propose that these
resources be utilised in line with the objects of the Universal
Service Fund.
462. The next phase worth US$10 million is targeted at laying new
fibre optic cable between Harare and Bulawayo, and an
upgrade of cable between Harare and Kariba. The cable
between Harare and Bulawayo will, therefore, be able to
benefit from the under-sea cable coming from Maputo to
Harare.
463. The fibre optic cable for Harare – Kariba will be upgraded from
the current STM16 to STM64, which will result in a four-fold
increase in capacity.
139
465. Cognisant of these requirements, I propose that we utilise
resources available to the Universal Fund as follows:
140
necessary that both Treasury and the Ministry responsible for
POTRAZ are involved in the formulation of POTRAZ’s Annual
Plans.
468. This will require that Parliament re-visits Section 74 of the Act
which currently states that POTRAZ, in consultation with
players in the telecommunications and postal industry, is tasked
to come up with the Annual Plan for the use of Universal Fund
resources.
Public Shareholding
141
utilisation of surpluses generated across the various entities
Government owns.
Reserve Fund
142
477. This will allow for greater scope to also embark on some of the
infrastructural projects whose resource requirements are larger
than anticipated revenue flows.
EXPENDITURE RATIONALISATION
480. The rationalisation of the 2010 Budget will entail the following:-
143
c) Financing critical selected programmes and projects
where donors have withheld funding initially earmarked to
come through the Vote of Credit.
Recurrent Expenditure
144
485. It will be critical that Ministries institute measures that contain
utilisation, thereby reducing accumulation of bills.
Social Protection
486. Acute food deficits have been identified in eleven districts, with
Chivi, Mangwe and Mberengwa having an immediate
requirement to support an estimated 17 340 households. The
remaining eight districts have a total of 63 304 households who
require food assistance from October 2010.
489. This does not take account of the arrears that have
accumulated over the years which stand at US$27 million,
comprised of staff salaries (US$18 million) and running
expenses (US$9 million).
145
490. Given our lack of fiscal space, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
together with Treasury and those Ministries and Departments
with representation at Missions, are finalising proposals to
rationalise Foreign Service expenditures.
Capital Expenditure
Energy
146
495. The performance of all the power generating plants is as
indicated on the Table below:-
498. Given the limited capacity of the Budget there is, therefore,
need to mobilise additional resources from ring fencing part of
the ZESA monthly earnings and enforcement of debt
collections.
Debtors
147
499. ZESA is owed a total amount of US$376 million, with the Table
below showing the distribution of the outstanding debt by
category of customer:-
501. To ensure that users of electricity pay for the use of the
service, ZESA is being empowered to take steps to recover all
outstanding amounts from its debtors with effect from 1 August
2010. Where customers fail to present payment plans, such
steps should include disconnections as necessary.
Maintenance Fund
148
towards the upgrading, refurbishment and maintenance of
infrastructure.
149
507. To this effect, I also propose to allocate a limited amount of
resources to deal with the water and sewer rehabilitation
problems in these towns.
Transport
Aviation
Rail
150
512. In order to facilitate NRZ to speed up the rehabilitation
programme, I also propose to provide US$2 million towards this
purpose.
Education
151
517. In order to improve quality of education in our schools,
Government will be procuring about 40 supervision vehicles to
be used by education inspectors.
E-learning
152
PUBLIC EXPENDITURE MANAGEMENT
523. This repealed and replaced the Audit and Exchequer Act
[Chapter 22:03] that provided for the management and control
of public monies and State property and the State Loans and
Guarantees Act [Chapter 22:13] that regulated the borrowing
and administration of State loans and the issuance of
guarantees by Government.
524. The new Act consolidates and strengthens the provisions of the
repealed statutes by, among other provisions, clarifying the
roles and responsibilities of various players in the resource
management chain, enhancing the corporate governance
arrangements and putting in place more rigorous reporting
requirements to facilitate effective oversight over financial and
other operations.
153
525. In addition to central Government operations, the Act’s
coverage extends to public enterprises, local authorities,
companies in which the State has a controlling interest and
partnerships and joint ventures between the State and other
parties, to address resource management and corporate
governance concerns in those institutions, and incorporates
penalty provisions for cases of non-compliance
527. The provisions of the Audit and Exchequer Act that dealt with
the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor-General and audits by
that office have been hived off and enhanced in a separate
Audit Office Act.
154
Public Finance Management System
Quality Assurance
155
Equipment Procurement
Training
535. To rebuild the skills base decimated by the brain drain during
the period of sustained economic challenges, and ensure
Government derives maximum benefit from the investment,
training of officers on the new system is already under way.
156
536. To date, over 240 officials ranging from Directors of Finance
and their deputies, Audit Office personnel and other end users
have undergone some training in areas relevant to their
functions. The weekly exercises will continue until all system
users have received the training necessary for Government to
fully benefit from the system functionalities.
538. Once the system operations have been fully restored, it will be
rolled out to the districts to facilitate on line transacting and
improved monitoring and management of Government
finances.
Help Desk
157
539. In line with international practice, a PFMS Help Desk is also
being set up to provide support to system users on a day-to-
day basis.
Vehicle Hire
158
543. In my 2010 Budget Statement, I introduced a new billing
system aimed at minimising the use of vehicles and, hence,
unnecessary demand for fuel through a prepayment system to
CMED.
159
laid down process and procedures necessary to determine
liability.
Tendering
160
551. During implementation, however, additional components are
brought on board leading to budget overruns. Such
malpractice disadvantages genuine bidders whose contracts
would have been rejected on the basis of high prices.
Advance Payment
161
556. Hence, with immediate effect, Government will not make full
advance payment to goods and services providers. Payments
will only be made basing on submission of invoices or
certificates and verification of work done.
Contract Management
162
561. There are some contractors who continue to win tenders
despite their lack of performance. This has resulted in such
contractors spreading their resources so thinly as to make no
impact on the project.
565. Payments will be made by the Bank directly into the designated
accounts of the creditors. Instructions will originate from the
Line Ministries and electronically transmitted to the Bank.
163
REVENUE MEASURES
571. Furthermore, the new Income Tax Act will also uphold the tax
principles of equity, fairness and neutrality as well as increase
the revenue base.
164
572. The proposed draft Income Tax Act has since been produced
and circulated to stakeholders for input, which should be
submitted for analysis and incorporation into the new Income
Tax Act by the end of October 2010.
573. The draft Income Tax Act will incorporate the following
concepts:
574. The proposed draft Income Tax Act will be tabled before
Parliament for approval as part of the 2011 Budget.
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Fiscalised Electronic Registers and Fiscal Memory Devices with
enhanced security features that minimise fraud.
578. Honourable Members will recall that during the 2010 National
Budget I proposed the introduction of Electronic Cargo Tracking
System, in view of the high risk to revenue that is posed by
transit cargo.
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Revenue Enhancing Measures
581. Mr. Speaker Sir, during the 2010 Budget a number of tax
exemptions and deductions were reviewed with the ultimate
goal of broadening the tax base.
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583. Mr. Speaker Sir, customs duty on motor vehicles imported by
tourist operators was suspended in order to assist operators to
recapitalise aged fleets.
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• Rebate of duty on imports covered by a duty free
certificate issued under the export incentive scheme. The
facility no longer exists;
• Rebate of duty on newspapers, magazines, periodicals,
pamphlets, brochures and similar publications. Duty has
been removed on these items; and
• Bicycle assembly rebate. In the absence of assemblers of
bicycles, this is being fraudulently utilised.
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mining sector fiscal regime, in order for the Nation to benefit
from the exploitation of its non-renewable natural resources.
595. I further propose to raise the export tax on chrome ore and
fines from 15% to 20%.
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596. The above measures take effect from 1 August 2010.
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600. Currently, any person who leases a motor vehicle which is used
to carry smuggled goods is liable to a fine not exceeding level 7
(US$400) on the standard scale of fines or imprisonment for a
period not less than one year.
Relief Measures
Regional Integration
603. Mr. Speaker Sir, one of the milestones that has been achieved
under the regional integration agenda is attainment of the
COMESA and SADC Free Trade Areas. The Free Trade Area
Protocols provide for duty free importation of goods from
COMESA and SADC Member States, provided such goods meet
the set criteria on the rules of origin.
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use of antiquated equipment, erratic power supply, high utility
costs and limited access to long term finance, among others.
605. The local industry is, thus, unable to compete on a level playing
field with companies in the region which have access to
cheaper finance, advanced technology and operate at optimal
capacity levels.
606. It is, thus, important to levy duty that levels the playing field,
allowing industry to also re-build capacity.
608. The bulk of products that are being traded through the local
retail outlets originate from SADC, as a consequence of
preferential rates of duty. There is, however, potential for the
local industry to supply some of the products, thereby boosting
employment and raising aggregate demand for goods.
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Tariff code Description MFN rates SADC rates Proposed
of duty of duty rates of duty
under SADC
2106.9090 Other food 5 0 10
preparations
3917.3110 Piping 15 0 15
3923.1000 Plastic Packaging 15 0 15
6305.3200 Solid and woven 15 0 15
7210.4100 Galvanised Steel 20 0 20
Sheets-corrugated
7210.4990 Galvanised Steel 20 0 20
Sheets - fluted profile
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ethylene not reinforced
3920.2090 Other, polymers of 20 10
ethylene
3920.5900 Acrylic polymers 15 10
3921.1200 PVC Packaging 15 10
4016.9910 Parts of industry, 15 10
agriculture and mining
machinery of vulcanised
rubber
4821.1000 Printed metalised battery 15 10
labels
5909.0000 Textile tubing with or 15 10
without lining, cotton
damper covers
7216.1000 Steel U Section 15 10
7216.2200 Steel T Section 15 10
7301.2000 Angles, shapes and 15 10
section bolts
7318.2300 Rivets 20 15
7320.1000 Leaf spring 20 15
7320.2000 Helical 20 15
7320.9000 Coil spring 20 15
7326.9097 File grips and paper 20 15
binders, nail plate basin
buckets of cast iron, clips
for tobacco curing.
8474.8000 Egg grading and 5 0
processing equipment
9406.0090 Other- advanced poultry 10 0
houses
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extended to 31 July 2010. Revenue foregone as a result of
implementing this relief measure amounted to US$36 million,
during the period January to April 2010.
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the skin
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structures which administer standards and also invoke anti-
dumping measures and countervailing duties where necessary.
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626. Furthermore, some of the goods are imported duty free using
travellers’ rebate, notwithstanding that they are commercial
and should be dutiable.
629. Goods that originate from the COMESA and SADC Member
States are imported duty free. There, however, has been a
surge of duty free importation of goods purported to originate
from the countries covered by preferential arrangements,
hence prejudicing the fiscus of potential revenue.
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Clearance Audit Unit to strengthen the verification of the origin
of goods.
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underutilised domestic renewable alternative energy sources,
focusing on solar, wind energy and bio-fuels, among others.
Excise Duty
637. The differences in the base for levying excise duty on imported
and locally produced wines and spirits has disadvantaged local
producers, since the landed cost of imported products excludes
retail mark-up. Excise duty on locally produced wines and
spirits is thus higher compared to imported products.
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639. In order to level the playing field between imported and locally
produced products, I propose to levy specific excise duty based
on the level of absolute alcohol content as follows:
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643. This measure takes effect from 1 September 2010.
Tax-Free Threshold
644. PAYE collection for the period January to May 2009 amounted
to US$30.5 million compared to US$126.3 million for the same
period in 2010. This revenue trend indicates increase in
remuneration and employment levels.
Remittance Date
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648. In view of liquidity challenges faced by employers, I propose to
extend the PAYE remittance date from the 3rd to the 10th of
the following month, in line with payment dates for other taxes
with effect from 1 September 2010.
Remittance Period
651. Currently, day old chicks are standard rated for VAT purposes.
Breeding of day old chicks is mainly carried out by small-holder
farmers and ordinary households, who are not registered
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operators for VAT purposes, hence, are not able to claim input
VAT.
Withholding Taxes
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Capital Gains Tax
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660. I, therefore, propose that Departmental Practice Notes on the
administration of penalties be published for purposes of
transparency with effect from 1 January 2011.
Tax Amnesty
661. Mr. Speaker Sir, the economic meltdown during the past
decade resulted in a significant number of corporates
informalising their operations in order to be competitive, under
the then prevailing macro-economic environment. Most of
these businesses no longer file tax returns, whilst new entrants
into business remain outside the tax net.
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664. Appropriate regulations outlining the details of the amnesty
such as the category of taxpayers that qualify will be published
in due course.
Customs Administration
Transit Fraud
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668. Mr. Speaker Sir, transit goods, especially motor vehicles, pose
high risk to revenue, as some of the consignments are diverted
and offloaded onto the local market without payment of import
duty and other taxes due. Although efforts to track cargo in
transit are underway, the progress has, however, been
hampered by the delay in the roll out of the necessary
infrastructure to link ports of entry and exit.
Pre-Clearance of Goods
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Re-organising ZIMRA
ZIMRA Structure
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CONCLUSION
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680. Mr. Speaker Sir, it was Albeit Einstein who stated many years
ago that “problems cannot be solved by the same level of
thinking that created them”. We make a case for a new
beginning, and it cannot be business as usual.
681. Without much ado, I commend this Mid Term Fiscal Review
Statement and also lay on the Table the amended Estimates of
Expenditure for the year ending 31 December 2010 before this
August House.
End
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