Maseru, Feb. 21 — It was all eyes on the Minister of Finance, Dr. Rets’elisitse Matlanyane as she finally delivered the 2024/2025 fiscal year budget speech following suspension of the House on Wednesday.
In her Speech, Dr. Matlanyane said it is important to pay costs for the future that allows every Mosotho to prosper.
She indicated that for the past 58 years, the government implemented a model that puts it at economic development but the model has not served the economy well thus it is time to do things differently.
“It is crucial to enhance collaboration and set aside our differences to foster sustainable growth and employment opportunities amongst others,” she said, saying the private sector needs to be at the forefront to ensure attainment of these.
She also said there is a need for the government to protect the weak, marginalised, elderly people and entire society in order to secure their future.
Dr. Matlanyane therefore indicated that the budget is designed to, amongst others, initiate reforms for a better future, saying it is crucial to remain mindful about broader economic trends.
“We need to adapt to new things such as the use of technology to maintain stability and progress,” she said.
She therefore said the government will amongst others continue to improve digital economic agenda, facilitate cashless payments, build effective partnership with the private sector and improve access to education in hard to reach areas.
Meanwhile, the budget speech was delivered during the joint sitting of the House and in the presence of Heads of Diplomatic Missions and senior government officials.
The Agency learnt that there were vacant seats in the House during budget speech as well as in the public gallery unlike last year when both places were full as the new government was presenting budget estimates for the first time.
