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Business Reporter
THE 2016 national budget public consultations begin today with the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Finance and Economic Development having deployed two teams for the countrywide exercise.

According to a schedule released by Parliament yesterday, the public consultations would be held in Matabeleland region on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday this week.

On Tuesday, the team will be in Matabeleland South at Purple Heart in Beitbridge and Gwanda Hotel while in Bulawayo and Tsholotsho the portfolio committee will be at the Small City Hall and Tsholotsho Catholic Church respectively on Wednesday.

The same team will be at Chinotimba Hall in Victoria Falls on Thursday.

“The Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Finance and Economic Development will be conducting public consultations on the 2016 national budget. The public, interested groups and organisations are invited to the consultative meetings.

“Contributions submitted will be considered by the portfolio committee for incorporation into the committee’s report to be presented to the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development for consideration in the 2016 national budget,” said Parliament in a statement.

Today, the consultations will be held in Kariba and Karoi while tomorrow the portfolio committee will move to Harare and Chitungwiza.

On Wednesday the team will be in Bindura and Glendale while on Thursday it will be in Murewa and Marondera.

The portfolio committee is expected to wind off the consultative exercise in Zimunya and Mutare.

Economists have said the budget should prioritise attracting foreign direct investment and reversing company closures.

“It’s imperative for the Minister of Finance and Economic Development (Patrick Chinamasa) to prioritise measures that promote FDI inflows into the country. FDI inflows are one of the missing links the country requires in order to stimulate economic activity and growth,” said Wendy Mpofu, a Bulawayo-based economic commentator.