Following consultations with business, labor, civil society and the Zimbabwean public, Finance Minister Tendai Biti is to present his 2011 budget to Parliament on Thursday.
VOA Studio 7 reporter Gibbs Dube reports that civil servants hope Biti will announce higher salaries and businesses want expanded access to financing. But for most Zimbweans struggling to make ends meet, the budget may not bring much relief.
Meanwhile, the Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries is urging the government to come up with what it calls a pro-poor 2011 budget to help create jobs and promote economic growth.
Independent economist Charles Mutasa told VOA Studio 7 reporter Jonga Kandemiiri that the CZI recomendations are in line with the call by the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions for the protection of local industries from cheap imports.
