IPOH: The Finance Ministry will invite 300 respondents beginning this May for consultations in preparation of the 2013 Budget, said Second Finance Minister, Datuk Seri Ahmad Husni Hanadzlah.
The individuals involved will be representatives from the private sector, non-governmental organisations and government officers from whom a wide spectrum of information will be gathered to prepare next year’s budget.
“The focus of our budget will be on enhancing the country’s economy as we are in a global economic crisis which is yet to fully recover.
“While in terms of financial support, the countries are getting support from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the economic recovery of the involved countries remain challenging,” Ahmad Husni told reporters at the Excellence Awards Day for the government aided religious school, Maah Al-Imam Asy-Syafiee in Kampung Dato’ Seri Ahmad Said Tambahan Dua.
Ahmad Husni said another area of focus will be domestic investments and foreign direct investments while the third area will be about reducing the country’s deficit level further.
“The country’s deficit level in 2011 came down to five per cent, exceeding the government’s expectation of 5.4 per cent as stated in the 2011 Budget and this year, we are aiming for 4.5 per cent.” During the consultations, all members would be able to discuss and give their input on how to reduce expenditure, he said.
“We will discuss whatever touch-points that could be implemented in the budget,” he added. — Bernama