Minister for Finance, Esrom Immanuel has called on the people not to panic as the coalition government is aware of the issues, and it is going to put in place some strategies and action plans to deal with them, and to protect the people and the economy.
Speaking ahead of the delivery of the 2026/2027 National Budget, the Finance Minister says most of the programs that they put in place before and during the fuel crisis are expected to continue because they are not sure when this crisis will end, however, they expect that at least the fuel price is expected to go down.
He says when the fuel crisis started, they put into place some tough measures that will continue.
However, he says they are trying to grow the economy from a stable environment, and the emphasis will be more towards capital expenditure.
Immanuel says the government will start with some of the big projects that they were supposed to do, and that will be good.
He says the focus continues on growing the economy and to also be resilient in case something happens in the future, even natural disasters or issues such as what we are facing now.
Immanuel says if you compare this financial year and the new budget in terms of the nominal dollar, the amounts will probably be the same, however, if we look at the content of those budgets, he thinks they are doing more.
He says they will also account for the increase in prices.
Immanuel says they have continued to ask the question - "so what will we do" - as most or some of those issues were highlighted during a recent economic conference that he termed as a talkfest.
He stresses they have the required strategies and action plans in place.
The 2026/2027 National Budget will be delivered at 10am tomorrow.
