Finance Minister Opens 2009/10 Budget Debate April 23
April 21, 2009The Full Story
The 2009/10 Budget Debate begins on April 23, in the House of Representatives, with Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Audley Shaw, making his presentation.
Mr. Shaw will tell the nation how the $547.75 billion budget for the fiscal year will be funded.
On April 7, the Minister tabled the 2009/10 Estimates of Expenditure in the House, which showed that $356.34 billion has been allocated for Recurrent (House-keeping) expenses and $191.41 billion for Capital (Development) expenses.
The Standing Finance Committee of the House met to consider the Estimates from April 14 to 16.
The Budget Debate will last until May 6. During the debate, selected members of the Government and the Opposition will make presentations.
Opposition Spokesman on Finance, Dr. Omar Davies, is expected to make his presentation on Tuesday, April 28, while presentations will be made by a Government Minister and an Opposition Spokesman on Wednesday, April 29.
On Thursday, April 30, Opposition Leader, Portia Simpson Miller, is scheduled to make her contribution to the debate.
Prime Minister Bruce Golding is slated to make his presentation on Tuesday, May 5, while the Finance Minister will close the Debate on Wednesday, May 6.
After the completion of the Budget Debate, other members of the House of Representatives will make their presentations in the Sectoral Debate, which follows.
For coverage of the 2009/10 Budget Debate, visithttp://jis.gov.jm/special_sections/inside_parliament_09/