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Budget_Statement_2020_merged

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Budget_Statement_2020_merged

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FY2020/21 Budget Statement

“Together Defeating COVID-19, Together Thriving Again”

Presented

Ipumbu Shiimi, MP

Minister of Finance

Available on the Website: www.mof.gov.na

27 May 2020

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Honourable Speaker;

Honourable Members of the National Assembly;

Fellow Namibians;

1. I have the honour to table the Budget for the 2020/21 financial year, the first

in the exercise of the privilege bestowed upon me, and a sixth under the

renewed administration of His Excellency President Dr Hage Geingob.

2. This budget is presented during one of the most challenging times in the global,

regional and domestic economy.

3. It is a budget aimed at enabling Namibia to better fight the spread of the

COVID-19 pandemic, support businesses and livelihoods of Namibians during

these extraordinary times and to plant seeds for the future economic recovery.

4. This particularly challenging time brings recollections of the invaluable lessons

which history taught us; that unity of purpose and perseverance are key to

success.

5. A few days ago, Naritunge, my daughter who is 15 years old, shared with me

the words of a poet whose foretelling words written in 1819 and reprinted in

1919 following the Spanish Flu, reinforce the message of perseverance and

hope. It says, just to paraphrase: -

“And people stayed at home,

Someone meditated, someone prayed,

People found themselves,

And made new choices,

And dreamed of new visions,

And created new ways of living,

And completely healed the earth,

Just as they were healed”

Honourable Speaker,

Fellow Namibians

6. Given the sense of duty before me, I am tempted to share the source of

inspiration I derived from real life events and past tutelage.

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o I grew up in a small village of Ontana. Those days of my generational

upbringing, like in many other rural settings in Namibia, children were

preoccupied by household chores during the day. The daily routines

were, for example, digging water wells, animal husbandry, preparing

food and the like.

o At night, after dinner, all members of the family will gather around the

fire. Elders would narrate stories and fables to the children. This is done,

mainly with the view of teaching them history and passing on traditional

norms.

o From the many stories and fables I have heard, there is one that stayed

vividly with me until today. The story describes a small nation of warriors

called the “Mbangala Kingdom” that was besieged by the enemy.

o It is said that the Mbangala Kingdom, was ruled by a very brave, but

caring King. Although this kingdom was small, it was relatively endowed

with some mineral resources and an envy of many other kingdoms,

especially the most powerful ones. One day the Mbangala Kingdom got

news of the fact that military forces from a large and powerful Kingdom

were approaching to take over their Kingdom. Hearing that news, the

Mbangala King didn’t waste time. He mobilised everyone in the Kingdom,

from youths to adults, to play their part and to save and defend their

country.

o Everyone was given a role to play and there was unity of purpose in the

whole Kingdom. Even among those who have been criticizing the King

before, heeded to the King’s call. It was a clarion call. THE AIM WAS TO

SAVE THE KINGDOM. When enemy forces attacked, the warriors of the

Kingdom repelled them back. This war was fought for two years, until

the enemy forces gave up, after suffering heavy losses. Unity of purpose

has saved the small Kingdom of Mbangala.

Honourable Speaker, Honourable Members

7. We too in Namibia are facing an invisible, but formidable enemy by the name

of COVID-19. Like its predecessor outbreaks, this enemy has attacked the

whole world population.

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8. We are not alone in this war. A coalition of nations of the world is confronting

the same enemy. Namibia is part of this global coalition for which

international cooperation is materially important to deliver victory.

9. The Government has responded swiftly to the threat posed by COVID-19.

Notably, our President did not waste time to declare the State of Emergency

on the 17th March 2020. He mobilized every Namibian, right from the beginning

of this pandemic to stand together as ONE NAMIBIA, ONE NATION, to fight this

invisible enemy and save lives in our country.

10. When unveiling the necessary national response to COVID-19, His Excellency

President Geingob stated; “while the pandemic we are faced with today is

unprecedented, we are confident that working collaboratively, we will still

respond effectively to minimize the spread of the virus and loss of life, and

restore the health of those affected”.

11. Indeed, His Excellency’s leadership has rallied us to hold hands and work

together to achieve this common purpose.

12. Since then, our collective efforts have yielded satisfactory results. The support

from our international partners and friends from near and afar is well received

and most appreciated.

13. The health emergency and the consequent suppression measures have helped

to save lives, globally and at home:-

 we have so far minimized the infection rate and the spread of the virus

at the community level since COVID-19 touched down on our shores on

14 March 2020.

 to date, no single life has been lost in Namibia as a result of COVID-19.

 as at the last count, 14 of the 21 cases have successfully recovered.

The latest uptick in the new confirmed cases suggests that COVID-19

has not relented. We owe it to the army of health professionals and

administrators who are leading the relentless war to defeat COVID-19.

We thank Minister Kalumbi Shangula and his team for a distinctively

sterling effort.

 equally, appreciation also goes to all Namibians for obeying the health

and social distancing measures. This is a necessary condition for

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reopening the economy and returning to the new normal. We should,

therefore, not relax our guard.

14. Every Namibian has an important role to play in this fight, be it by practicing

social distancing, adhering to all other health protocols announced by the

Government and giving material and moral support to the fight against Covid-

19.

Honourable Speaker, Honourable Members

15. It is in this context, and in terms of Article 126(1) of the Namibian Constitution,

read with the Declaration of the State of Emergency, that I table, for the

favourable consideration and approval of this House:-

a) the 2020/21 Appropriation Bill,

b) the Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure for the FY2020/21, and

c) the 2020/21 Expenditure Framework

16. In addition, Honourable Speaker, I present the Fiscal Strategy for the 2020/21

-2022/23 MTEF, the Development Budget for FY2020/21 and the Government

Accountability Report for FY2018/19 as key budget policy and public

accountability documents.

What does this Budget offer?

Honourable Speaker,

17. This budget is part of the ammunition in Namibia’s arsenal to fight Covid_19.

18. The budget is presented under the theme “Together defeating COVID-19,

Together thriving again”. This theme summons the collective contribution of all

Namibians, young and old, to defeating COVID-19 as a necessary condition for

future economic recovery and prosperity.

19. As such, the budget aims to achieve four main goals; to save lives, save

livelihoods, save jobs and incomes and to place Namibia in a stronger position

to thrive in the foreseeable future.

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20. It does so by: -

 frontloading the emergency response budget to the health sector to

enable the sector to procure and deploy the needed infrastructure,

personal protective equipment, pharmaceuticals and personnel,

 deploying a once-off Emergency Income Grant to save livelihoods and

jobs,

 improving learner accommodation and sanitation facilities at various

public schools across the country to better cope with COVID-19

protocols,

 maintaining operational budgetary allocation for continued provision of

essential services and the refined development budget allocations for on-

going capital projects with contractual obligations,

 providing for off-budget project financing for critical infrastructure in the

logistics and water sectors, and

 maintaining allocations for social safety nets as the first line of defence

against vulnerability

21. Beyond these targeted emergency measures, a modicum of policy reforms is

set out to constitute pillars of the medium to long term economic recovery and

transformation plan. The details of such policy measures will be finalized in

advance of the Mid-Year Budget Review to be tabled in the Third Quarter this

year.

22. Such a plan will take into consideration our developmental ambitions set out in

Vision 2030 and the strategic initiatives for the Sixth National Development Plan

(NDP VI), incorporating the national commitment to the global agenda for

Sustainable Development. The preparations for NDP VI formulation will start in

the near future.

COVID-19 RESPONSIVENESS AND PROGRESS POINTS

Honourable Speaker,

23. We have made discernible progress on the implementation of adopted

emergency measures to fight COVID-19 and prepare ourselves for the new

normal over the next two years.

24. Last month, on the directive of His Excellency, The President, we launched the

Economic Stimulus and Relief Package, encompassing ten action points which

are already in the implementation phase. Let me now share progress made so

far in this regard:-

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 An emergency budget of N$727 million was frontloaded to the health

sector. The Ministry of Health and Social Services is making progress in

executing this budget.

 an Emergency Income Grant, providing a once-off payment of N$750.00

grant to a targeted low-income group affected by COVID_19 was rolled

out. A total of 747,281 Namibians have so far benefited from the grant

at a cost of N$561.96 million. A further 120, 000 people are expected to

benefit after completion of the verification process. I am pleased to

report that this money was distributed in a very short period of time at

zero cost of distribution by the Government. Despite the challenges that

have been encountered, Namibia has set a good example to the World,

thanks to our private sector partners who offered their services free of

charge. We would like to thank these patriotic Namibians today and more

appropriately at a later date.

 the National Employment and Salary Protection Scheme for COVID-19

was launched on 10 April 2020 in collaboration with the Social Security

Commission. Costed at N$645 million, the program provides for, amongst

others, the wage subsidy for employers and employees in the severely

affected sectors. The Government contribution to this program

stands at N$400 million, while N$245 million will be provided by the

Social Security Commission. To date, over 1,372 applications from

employers to access the benefits have been made at the Social Security

Commission as an implementing agency.

 acceleration of payment of overdue unpaid invoices for suppliers of goods

and services to the Government valued at N$1.2 billion and VAT refunds

estimated at N$3.0 billion as at 31st March 2020. It is commendable to

note that the whole amount of outstanding invoices of that period is paid

and N$1.8 billion of VAT refunds are settled. We are retooling our

processes to keep this momentum and eliminate spending arrears going

forward.

 non-agricultural SME loan scheme at DBN, for which a N$500 million

Government guarantee is provided,

 agricultural business loan scheme and bridging finance for AgriBank for

which N$350 million Government guarantee is provided. The stimulus

and relief program by AgriBank will start on 1 June 2020 ,

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 granting of the policy relief to borrowers and policy holders and members

in the non-banking financial sector. In this regard, regulatory exemptions

are due for gazetting in collaboration with NAMFISA,

 a one-year tax-back loan scheme capped at N$470 million for non-mining

corporates and,

 a similar scheme for individuals capped at N$1.1 billion. Implementation

modalities for the tax-back loan schemes are arranged with the

commercial banks and Government guarantees will be extended on a

case by case basis,

 provision of a water subsidy of N$80 million under the Ministry of

Agriculture, Water and Land Reform to avail water to all communities

and enhance hygiene during these challenging times.

 waiving of levies and duties on kerosene fuel as a basic consumer good

during the lockdown period for which the amendment schedule, in terms

of the Customs and Excise Act is finalized, and

 In addition to the above actions, an emergency budget of N$600million

is availed to the Ministry of Basic Education, Arts and Culture for the

provision of water, ablution facilities and hostels at about 193 schools,

countrywide. The Ministry is finalizing an Implementation Strategy to

fast-track the procurement of these goods and services.

25. Honourable Speaker, these emergency allocations and the corresponding

implementation of the programmes have enabled the country to respond timely

to the most urgent priorities during this challenging environment. Programme

execution is provided for under the continuation authorization and the

Presidential Proclamation No. 14 of 2020, suspending Section 9 of State Finance

Act, Act No. 31 of 1991.

26. Furthermore, policy directives providing regulatory relief were issued by the

Bank of Namibia to allow commercial banks the necessary space to help

individuals and businesses during this extraordinary time, following the

outbreak of COVID-19. These included an allowable loan repayment

moratorium in the form of a repayment holiday, relaxation of the regulations in

terms of write-off and provisioning by commercial banks, liquidity relief, capital

conservation buffer relief and the postponement of the amended single

borrower limit.

27. Taking into account the above policy context, let me know turn to the economic

environment under which this budget was prepared and would come into

operation.

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Macro-fiscal Developments and Medium Term Outlook

28. The rapid spread of COVID-19 since its eruption in December 2019 has exacted

a heavy toll on the global economy, the world trade and financial markets.

29. Its magnitude and severity is the worst witnessed since the Great Depression

of the 1930s.

 the global real GDP for 2020 is now forecast by the International

Monetary Fund (IMF) to contract by 3.0 percent this year, from what

could have been 3.4 percent positive growth forecast in October 2019,

 the world trade is projected to contract by 11.0 percent this year,

 oil prices are estimated to decline by 42 percent, presenting some respite

for oil importing economies such as Namibia but a worsening scenario

for oil exporters. Other commodity prices would contract by about 1.1

percent

30. Thus, economic growth metrics for 2020 have turned negative for major

economies and economic groups. This is all due to lockdowns, travel bans,

supply side disruptions and extremely weak consumer demand:-

 Advanced Economies are projected to contract by 6.1 percent,

 Emerging Markets and Developing Economies would contract by 1

percent, relative to 3.7 percent positive growth a year ago,

 Economic activity rate for the United States of America, the world’s

largest economy, is forecast to contract by 5.9 percent,

 the contraction in the Euro zone is estimated at 7.5 percent,

 growth for China, the world’s second largest economy, is projected to

plummet to 1.2 percent this year, from 6.1 percent last year, and

 Latin America and the Caribbean region faces a contraction of 5.2

percent.

31. The Sub-Saharan African region has also not escaped from the macroeconomic

fallout of CIVID-19. The sub-regional economy is projected to contract by 1.6

percent, from an expansion of 3.1 percent in 2019.

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32. Closer to home;

 real GDP contraction for South Africa is now estimated at 5.8 percent,

and

 the Angolan economy is projected to contract by 1.4 percent.

33. Notably, these are the two largest neighbouring economies and key trading

partners for Namibia.

34. These regional and global forecasts are underpinned by considerable downside

risks. A predicted rapid recovery (V-shape recovery) of 5.8 percent for the

global economy in 2021 and 4.1 percent for Sub-Saharan Africa might,

therefore, be challenging to realize in the presence of these downside risks.

35. This outlook, fellow Namibians, does not augur well for the domestic economy.

Domestic macro-fiscal context and outlook

Honourable Speaker, Honourable Members,

36. Namibia is a small, open economy with the external trade to GDP openness

index of about 100 percent. This makes the economy highly vulnerable to

shocks such as the COVID-19 pandemic, mainly through the trade channel and

pass-through effects on public revenue.

37. Amidst these developments, the domestic economy is projected to contract by

6.6 percent in real terms this year. The contraction may as well linger on in

2021 at a moderate rate of 1.1 percent, with the new normal average growth

rates of between 2.0 and 3.6 percent in 2022 and beyond;-

 nominal GDP as a measure of final output for 2019/20 fiscal year has

been reduced by 10.9 percent or N$21.5 billion relative to previous

budget estimates. This reflects the combined effects of statistical

adjustments in diamond exports and the COVID_19 induced effects

during 2020,

 for 2020/21, the implied reduction in nominal GDP relative to the MTEF

indicative estimate stands at about N$34.7 billion or some 16.9 percent.

These shocks on final output have significant implications for fiscal

targets, especially over the short term.

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 as such, the macroeconomic outlook of the Fiscal Strategy indicates that

all elements of final demand, that is, net consumption and investment

are expected to decline during 2020,

 exports are projected to decline by about 11.9 percent year-on-year in

2020, compared to the estimated decline of 1.1 percent a year ago,

 imports are expected to decline by 14.9 percent in 2020, much faster

than the fall in exports, reflecting the slowdown in investment and final

consumption of goods and services.

38. On the supply side, all major sectors of industry are projected to post negative

growth rates in 2020. This is as a result of production disruptions and external

and internal demand side fallouts: -

 the primary industry is projected to contract by 12.1 percent, reflecting

demand side induced shocks, especially for mining outputs,

 output in the secondary industry would contract by an estimated 2.6

percent, mainly as a result of deeper contractions in the construction

subsector and manufacturing activity in the beverage and mineral

beneficiation subsectors, and

 the decline in the tertiary industry is estimated at 5.7 percent for 2020,

principally as a result of the direct effects of travel and social distancing

restrictions on tourism, hotels and restaurants, transport and wholesale

and retail trade subsectors.

Monetary Policy and External Sector

Honourable Speaker, Honourable Members,

39. Globally, monetary policy is generally accommodative and it is equally so in the

Common Monetary Area and at home. This is for the purpose of affording the

business and household sectors a cushion to adapt to the adverse impacts of

COVID_19 on the economy and financial markets.

 the Repo rate was cut twice by a cumulative of 200 basis points to 4.25

percent since the outbreak of COVID-19. The reduction in the Repo

rate provides short term relief to borrowers and helps to lift the weak

economic activity,

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 this is amidst the low inflation environment, standing at 1.6 percent by

April 2020 and estimated to average below 3 percent for 2020,

 equally, Private Sector Credit Extension remains subdued and it has

only expanded by 6.7 percent during the first two months of the year,

 the trade balance would shrink moderately to a deficit of 10.2 percent

of GDP this year,

 consequently, the current account deficit of the balance of payments is

expected to narrow to about 0.6 percent of GDP in 2020, from the

deficit of 2.3 percent of GDP in 2019, owing to the expected sharp

slowdown in imports and better SACU receipts, and

 as a result, the stock of international reserves stood at about 4.6

months of import cover by the end of April 2020. At this level, the

reserves are adequate to meet international obligations and support the

currency peg.

Fiscal Policy and Budgetary Framework

Honourable Speaker, Honourable Members,

40. Let me now turn to fiscal policy.

41. Namibia’s fiscal policy remains grounded on the promotion of socio-economic

development, social welfare and intergenerational equity in the context of

fiscal sustainability.

42. Over the past MTEF, the Government implemented fiscal consolidation to

anchor fiscal sustainability and macroeconomic stability, while supporting the

economy and the provision of essential public services.

 As such, the proportion of total expenditure as a share of GDP has slowed

to about 37.7 percent by FY2019/20, from a high of 42.8 percent in

FY2015/16,

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 For 2018/19, the revenue outturn stood at N$55.89 billion or 31.4

percent of GDP, representing a 98.6 percent collection rate as reported

in the 2019 Mid-Year Budget Review,

 the total preliminary revenue collection for FY2019/20 is estimated at

N$58.6 billion. This is 33.2 percent of GDP and it is line with the revised

budget estimate,

 the outturn on revenue for FY2019/20 reflects better collections on

Individual Income Tax and VAT, which counterbalanced the shortfalls

recorded on corporate income tax owing to the subdued economic

conditions and severe drought during 2019.

43. The projected impact of COVID-19 on the economy and the large downward

adjustments in nominal GDP have a significant negative effect on revenue and

fiscal indicators for FY2020/21 and over the medium term:-

 revenue for FY2020/21 is projected at N$51.4 billion, some 30.0 percent

of GDP. This is N$8.3 billion or 14.3 percent below the indicative MTEF

estimates for 2020/21 and reflects the COVID-19 induced impact on the

various revenue streams,

 at N$22.3 billion, SACU receipts will anchor the projected revenue for

FY2020/21. For the following fiscal year, this revenue source is expected

to come under pressure in the face of subdued economic and trade

conditions globally and in the Customs Area,

 external and domestic demand shocks and trade disruptions will result

in about 32.8 percent decline in VAT collections,

 supply side and production disruptions would lead to a decline of about

20.3 percent in individual income tax on account of wage reductions and

job layoffs across various sectors of the economy,

 corporate income tax is estimated to fall by about 25.5 percent,

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 as a result of the subdued revenue and economic shocks, public

expenditure and debt will remain elevated. This fiscal impetus is

necessary to help mitigate the negative impact of COVID-19 on the

economy and continued with the provision of critical public services.

Expenditure, budget deficit and debt

Honourable Speaker,

44. The 2018/19 Government Accountability Report and the 2019 Mid-Year

Budget Review provide details of outcomes achieved and the details of

expenditure and fiscal outturns for the FY2018/19 reporting period.

45. For the FY2019/20; -

 the preliminary expenditure outturn stood at N$66.8 billion,

 the budget was fully implemented, with the non-interest operational

budget execution rate estimated at about 99.5 percent, while the

development budget execution rate stood at 83.2 percent,

 the budget deficit is estimated at 4.7 percent of GDP, compared to 4.1

percent as budgeted, mainly due to revisions in nominal GDP,

 as such, public debt as a percentage of GDP stood at 54.8 percent,

 Debt servicing as a percent of revenue stood at 13.5 percent, while

contingent liabilities of Government were approximately 6.3 percent of

GDP relative to the 10 percent maximum cap.

FY2020/21 Budget, Expenditure Outlook and Fiscal Policy Stance

for the MTEF

Honourable Speaker; Honourable Members;

46. Let me now turn to the FY2020/21 budget.

47. COVID-19 presents urgent spending needs for the health sector and

responsiveness to support livelihoods and economic sectors which are

severely affected by the direct impact of the pandemic.

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48. This is amidst the uncertainty about the future prospects for the easing out

of the virus. The medium term expenditure outlook and policy stance would

depend on how the pandemic plays out globally. A full Medium Term

Expenditure outlook and accompanying package of structural policy reforms

will, therefore, be presented during the 2020 Mid-Year Budget Review, once

we have a better understanding of the impact of Covid-19 and our reform

program is firmly underway.

49. Against this backdrop, I table before you the FY2020/21 budget, totaling

N$72.8 billion.

50. This is a single-year budget, reflecting the commensurate urgency of

addressing the elevated once-off needs arising from the impact of COVID-19.

 non-interest operational expenditure is budgeted at N$57.9 billion, 8.8

percent more than the previous year, reflecting accelerated funding

needs to fight COVID-19,

 the development budget amounts to N$6.4 billion, 8.4 percent more

than the actual development budget spending in the previous year,

 given the weak revenue outlook, the budget deficit for FY2020/21 is

estimated at 12.5 percent of GDP. This is a once-off rise in the budget

deficit, as we seek to adequately respond to the challenges posed by

COVID_19 on the economy and social strata,

 the budget deficit will be financed through a combination of own savings

and domestic and external borrowing,

 taking into account the total financing requirements, the debt stock is

estimated to rise to N$117.5 billion, corresponding to 68.7 percent of

GDP, from 54.8 percent estimated for FY2019/20.

 going forward, expenditure will have to be recalibrated to lower levels

from the temporary COVID_19 induced peak so as to stabilize growth in

public debt,

 these considerations would be integral to the fiscal policy stance for the

MTEF.

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Tax Policy, Revenue Mobilization and Tax Administration Reforms

Honourable Speaker,

51. Let me now turn to tax, customs and excise policy and tax administration

reforms.

52. Given the challenging economic landscape, this is not the time to introduce

new taxes.

53. However, tax administration measures to achieve equity and fairness in the

tax system by ensuring that economic agents generating the same level of

income pay the right amount of tax at the right time as well as the measures

to plug tax planning and tax avoidance opportunities will continue to be

pursued.

54. This means, fellow Namibians, that those who earn above the tax threshold

(N$50 000) or more per year, must pay commensurate tax irrespective of the

type of economic activity from which they derive their income. This money is

needed to pay for medicines, school books, construction and maintenance of

roads and other critical public goods and services that the public enjoys.

 the proposal, previously announced, to disallow tax deductibility of royalties

for mining entities is hereby withdrawn. This is to encourage investor

confidence and economic agents to explore, produce and reinvest in

Namibia,

 the Income Tax Act proposals to repeal the provisions of the Export

Processing Zone Act which deal with tax exemptions on corporate income

tax and the phasing out of tax incentive for manufacturers and exporters

of manufactured goods were passed by Parliament last year. The phasing

out of these base-eroding tax exemptions will be replaced by the

introduction of the Special Economic Zones. These changes are due for

implementation starting this year, with grandfathering provisions.

 previously announced Income Tax and Value Added Tax proposals such as

dividend tax for residents, taxation of trusts and subjecting income derived

from commercial activities of charitable, religious, educational and other

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types of institutions under Section 16 of the Income Tax Act, introduction

of VAT on income of listed asset managers, supply of sugar and mandatory

requirement to issue tax invoices by VAT vendors are still under review.

Extensive stakeholder consultations will take place before a decision is

taken to proceed with these changes.

55. Further, consultation will be undertaken on the following excise levies and

duties for domestic revenue purposes as previously announced: -

 expanding coverage of export levy to include other specific agricultural,

forestry, game products and other mining products currently not covered by

the export levy regime, and

 revising the export levy for forestry products from a levy in percentage rates

to an amount in Namibia Dollar per kilogram to prevent undervaluation of

forestry products such as timber.

Honourable Speaker,

56. Further, in terms of the SACU Agreement and taking into account sales

volumes and targets set for the total tax burdens on respective excisable

commodities, the following increases, effective from 27 February 2020 are

agreed in terms of the SACU Agreement: -

 a 340ml can of beer or cider will cost an extra 8c,

 a 750ml bottle of wine will cost an extra 14c,

 a 750ml bottle of sparkling wine will cost an extra 61c,

 a bottle of 750 ml spirits, including whisky, gin or vodka, will rise

by N$2.89,

 a packet of 20 cigarettes will cost an extra 74c,

 a 25 gram of piped tobacco will cost 40c more, and

 a 23 gram cigar will cost an extra N$6.73.

57. The current national ban on the sale of alcohol products due to COVID_19

saves consumers from the “sin” taxes.

58. These amended rates of excise duty are set out in more details in the

Government Notice which I will table in the National Assembly, in terms of

section 54(1) of the Customs and Excise Act, 1998 at a later stage.

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59. Complementary to these tax and customs and excise policy changes; key tax

administration reforms will be implemented during the FY2020/21 and over

the medium term. These include, principally:-

▪ implementing the transitional arrangements for the establishment of the

Namibia Revenue Agency by commencing with the recruitment drive,

▪ improving the tax administration to ensure compliance with tax laws and,

improving the efficiency of domestic tax collection, assessment and forensic

audit,

▪ improving the functionality of the Integrated Tax System to leverage service

innovation embedded in the new system, and

▪ leveraging regional and international tax cooperation.

The FY2020/21 Appropriation Bill

Honourable Speaker, Honourable Members,

60. Let me now turn to the FY2020/21 Appropriation Bill.

61. The 2020/21 Appropriation Bill amounts to N$64.3 billion. A total of N$ 8.4

billion, or 16.4 percent of revenue, is earmarked for the payment of interest

payable on moneys borrowed. This amount is deemed to have been

appropriated. Therefore, the total expenditure, including interest payments,

for the 2020/21 financial year, amounts to N$72.8 billion.

62. Some of the sectoral allocations are as follow;

Social Sectors

63. The budget accords 49.5 percent of the N$64.2 billion non-interest

expenditure to social sectors. This is in line with the previous budget sectoral

allocation of 47.4 percent.

64. This allocative priority reflects the quantum and speed for availing resources

to the health sector to shore up national responsiveness to COVID_19 and

the needs in the education sector to cope with the new normal.

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 the Ministry of Health and Social Services is allocated N$7.95 billion, this

is 12.4 percent of the total non-interest expenditure. The funding would

allow the health sector to roll-out measures for combating COVID-19,

 the Ministry of Basic Education, Arts and Culture receives N$14.2 billion,

equivalent to 22.1 percent of the total allocation,

 Higher Education, Training and Innovation receives N$3.3 billion or 5.1

percent of the total allocation of which N$900.2 million is for UNAM,

N$503.9 million for NUST and N$1.5 billion for NSFAF, including a

guarantee-backed loan facility of N$238 million.

 such resource outlay reflects the Government’s commitment to invest in

the youth and human capital development as the central driver for

sustainable development, employability and poverty reduction over time.

 the Ministry of Gender Equality, Poverty Eradication and Social Welfare

is allocated N$5.3 billion, 8.2 percent of the total allocation, mainly to

cater for the social safety nets, which form the first line of defense

against poverty for the vulnerable members of society, especially during

this time of COVID-19.

Economic and infrastructure sectors

Honourable Speaker,

65. Economic and infrastructure sectors take up the second largest share of the

budgetary allocations, after the social sectors. A total of N$14.2 billion is

allocated to the Economic and Infrastructure sectors. This is further supported

by investment outlay by the Public Enterprises and off-budget project

financing:-

 Transport receives N$2.4 billion, for the completion of on-going phases

of capital projects with contractual awards. This allocation is supported

by N$1.4 billion from the Road Fund in FY2020/21, the N$644.94 million

for road project financing under the African Development Bank (AfDB)

loan arrangement during the budget year, with the remainder of N$1.7

billion to be disbursed over the next two years for road and rail

infrastructure financing under the AfDB-funded Economic Governance

and Competitiveness Program.

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 as well, Nampower is rolling out investment in energy generation and

transmission, particularly solar and wind power generation over the next

five years, with investment of about N$10 billion over the next three

years. This would boost the provision of affordable and reliable domestic

power generation and improve the balance of payments.

 the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform receives N$1.3 billion,

of which N$929.2 million is earmarked for commencement of the water

infrastructure refurbishment and development program.

 The Ministry of Finance is allocated N$6.2 billion, about 9.7 percent of

the total allocation. Out of this amount,N$2.6 billion or 40.4 percent is

allocated for PSEMAS. A total amount of up to N$772 million is for the

Emergence Income Grant, while the Wage Subsidy Program in

collaboration with Social Security Commission is allocated N$400 million.

An amount of N$330 million is for Government’s contribution to GIPF for

Political Office Bearers and N$102.8 million for Political Party funding.

N$90 million is allocated to AgriBank to support its loan book. Similarly,

a total of N$64.0 million is allocated to DBN for SME and youth

entrepreneurship support facilities. A total of N$210.9 million is

earmarked for the transitional arrangements for the establishment of

NAMRA in the budget year, while N$36.9 million, N$36.6 million and N$2

million are allocated for the Financial Intelligence Centre, Central

Procurement Board and Financial Literacy Initiative respectively. The

balance is for personnel expenditure and operational costs and the

Contingency Fund.

 Vote Industrialization and Trade is allocated N$174.8 million to facilitate

trade and industrialization objectives.

Public Safety and Order

Honourable Speaker,

66. The Public Safety Sector takes up the third largest share of the budget

allocations, totaling N$13.1 billion or 20.6 percent of the total allocation. This

allocation underpins our investment in maintenance of law and order, peace

and stability.

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67. Among others: -

 The Ministry of Home Affairs, Safety and Security receives N$5.95 billion,

9.3 percent of the total allocation,

 Defense and Veteran Affairs is allocated N$6.2 billion, about 9.7 percent of

the total allocation,

 The Judiciary receives N$375.7 million, while the Ministry of Justice is

allocated N$480.7 million, and

 The Anti-Corruption Commission receives N$61.6 million to support activities

to fight corruption.

Administrative Sectors

Honourable Speaker, Honourable Members,

68. The Administrative Sector receives the least allocation of N$4.5 billion,

equivalent to 6.9 percent of the total allocation.

69. This, mainly comprises of: -

 N$1.7 billion for Vote 17: Urban and Rural Development to support, among

others, increasing provision for sanitation infrastructure, land servicing and

bulk water supply services, sewage and electricity,

 N$ 1.0 billion for Vote 07: International Relations and Cooperation, and

 N$131 million for the National Assembly and N$101.3 million for the National

Council.

70. For the FY2019/20, a total of N$324.2 million was allocated to the

Contingency Fund. I have distributed the corresponding information

regarding the utilization of the Contingency Fund.

71. The Appropriation Bill and the 2020/21 Estimate of Revenue, Income and

Expenditure provide details of expenditure allocations per Vote and programs.

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Economic, Public Finance and Financial Sector Reforms during the

Financial Year

Honourable Speaker,

72. The prevalence of COVID_19 has brought about considerable uncertainty on

the global and domestic economic outlook. It has induced a temporary

downturn on economic activities and public revenue, with elevated public debt

as a consequence.

73. Going forward, it is of absolute necessity that the budget deficit and its

associated higher debts be significantly reduced over the MTEF through a

combination of higher economic growth and expenditure restraint.

74. As such, the Government in collaboration with the private sector and other

non-state actors would spare no time to package the structural and public

sector reforms to be announced during the 2020 Mid-Year Budget Review.

75. The essence would be to provide evidence-based, transformational reforms

to be implemented over the next MTEF and beyond.

76. Such strategic priorities would entail, among others: -

 economic diversification and structural transformation to diversify

sources of inclusive growth, domestic productive capacity,

industrialization, innovation and job creation. In this respect, a team of

experts is appointed to carry out evidence-based research, building on

the work already done by the High Level Panel on the Economy,

 improving national competitiveness along a range of policy and

administrative arrangements, provide policy certainty, boost investor

confidence and improve administrative efficiency,

 enhancing domestic resources mobilization, improving tax compliance

and capacity in the specialized areas of transfer pricing and illicit financial

flows, centered on advances in the revenue administration institutional

reforms, public asset utilization and divestiture as well as application of

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Public-Private Partnerships to infrastructure development and service

delivery,

 implementing the integrated financing framework to better coordinate

development finance and leveraging opportunities presented by green

financing facilities,

 conducting an assessment to find a sustainable and responsible strategy

to right size the public service and consequently contain the wage bill on

the back of the consolidation of Government functions implemented this

year,

 finding a prudent way of funding PSEMAS, which is increasingly becoming

unaffordable

 strengthening the quality of public expenditure, resource allocative

efficiency to priority sectors and developmental programs and

implementing time-bound reforms for Public Enterprises,

 leveraging public procurement and local sourcing as a means of

empowerment and local economic development in a competitive

environment as well as implementing administrative measures to

enhance efficiency in the public procurement function, and

 leveraging the financial sector reforms to support domestic investments

in the real and services sectors of the economy, and

77. In addition, Honourable Speaker, the reforms in the financial sector, which is

the lifeblood for the economy, will continue and be brought to finality to

support economic activity. This is especially in regard to amendments to the

Banking Institutions Act and the finalization of the legislative modernization

in the non-banking financial services industry.

CONCLUSION AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Honourable Speaker, Honourable Members,

78. Over the past years, we have endured difficult but necessary fiscal

consolidation adjustments.

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79. The spectre of the Corona Virus pandemic has ravaged the economic

landscape and reversed most of the gains from fiscal adjustment reforms.

80. We have responded swiftly and timely to combat COVID_19. We shall

continue to do so, while enabling economic activity to regain traction.

81. I wish to express my gratitude to His Excellency President Hage Geingob for

his exemplary leadership. I thank His Excellency for the trust bestowed on me

as a steward of our public finance management and financial sector. I pledge

to execute this responsibility to the best of my ability, with the support and

input from my Cabinet colleagues, the legislature, captains of industry and

the public at large.

82. I equally wish to thank, His Excellency Vice President Nangolo Mbumba, Right

Honourable Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila and the Hon.

Deputy Prime Minister Netumbo Nandi Ndaitwah for their continued guidance.

83. I thank Honourable Obeth Kandjoze, Director General of the National Planning

Commission and his entire staff for team work, now and going forward.

84. I extend my sincere appreciation to Hon. Calle Schlettwein, my predecessor

and the current Minister of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform for the

formidable work done over the past five difficult years and for his continued

support.

85. I thank my Cabinet colleagues for their insight during the formulation of the

budget. I would rely on your continued support during the budget

implementation process.

86. I express my appreciation to the Bank of Namibia and NAMFISA for technical

input and advice.

87. My gratitude also extends to my right hand lady, Executive Director, Madam

Ericah Shafudah, and all my colleagues at the Ministry of Finance who

welcomed me with open arms and who always persevere in preparing the

budget documentation and all other work we do at the Ministry. I thank all

senior officials in all Offices, Ministries and Agencies for their hard work.

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88. I extend my sincere appreciation to the various political parties and

Parliamentary Committees for their contribution to the improvement of the

budget allocative efficiency and accountability.

89. I thank our Development Partners, the business community, organized labour,

the financial services industry players such as the Bankers Association of

Namibia, Asset Managers, Insurance industry, Economic Association of

Namibia and Namibia Saving and Investment Association (NaSIA) for

collaboration and support.

Honourable Speaker, Honourable Members

90. I would like to pause and return to the story of the Mbangala Kingdom: The

people of the Mbangala Kingdom offer a source of inspiration. During the

trying times, the inhabitants of the Mbangala Kingdom went hungry for two

long years, with little food and scarce water. Some fell sick, but they continued

fighting till the glorious end.

91. We Namibians too, have a proud history of tenacity, perseverance, sacrifice

and transcending to final victory. These are the values of our glorious history.

92. This legacy should inspire us to follow these great deeds. Through unity of

purpose, partnerships and team work, we shall thrive again. Together, in the

spirit of Harambee, we shall traverse that journey.

93. Let me end my presentation with a quote from Economic Professor and

renowned author Milton Friedman who once said; “Only a crisis — actual or

perceived — produces real change. When that crisis occurs, the actions that

are taken depend on the ideas that are lying around. That, I believe, is our

basic function: to develop alternatives to existing policies, to keep them alive

and available until the politically impossible becomes the politically inevitable.”

94. As Namibians, we too should not allow this crisis to go to waste, we are called

upon to develop alternative ideas and implement them in earnest, with

dexterity, entrepreneurship and innovation to achieve shared prosperity for

the current generation and for the better future of our grandchildren.

95. I now appeal for your favourable consideration and approval of the 2020/21

Appropriation Bill and the Estimates of Revenue, Income and Expenditure.

I thank you.

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Annexure 1: Statement of the Central Government Operations

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Annexure 1: Statement of the Central Government Operations

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Annexure 1: Statement of the Central Government Operations