Long Wait for Duty Free Week Campaign Promise by Tonse Alliance
Ahead of the June 23 Fresh Presidential Elections, Tonse Alliance promised Malawians that under its rule government will introduce a duty-free week for people to import goods free of charge as a way of improving their economic wellbeing.
But in the 2020/2021 budget statement, the issue is conspicuously missing.
Minister of Finance, Felix Mlusu says amid COVID 19 which has reduced monthly revenue collections by 11 percent the plan has to wait.
“It is challenging to implement all campaign promises in one year. We have not shelved the duty-free week promise. Amid Corona Virus it is difficult to implement all campaign promises. We hope to factor in that promise in the next financial plans,” said Mlusu
Economic expert Millward Tobias says most of the campaign promises by Tonse Alliance will be difficult to achieve due to economic challenges the country is faced with.
“Some of the promises have to be implemented the way they are, some have to be changed and others be completely dropped. Some of the promises are unattainable in view of COVID 19,” said Tobias
Starting this Tuesday, the 2020/2021 national budget which is perked at 2.190 trillion kwacha will be scrutinized by various clusters of parliament before it is passed for a period of ten days.
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