Economist describes Malawi’s proposed budget as pro-poor

APA-Lilongwe (Malawi) Malawi’s proposed 2007/08 budget of US$1.2 billion that Finance Minister Goodall Gondwe has presented to parliament is “pro-poor,” an economist said here Monday.

Malawi Economic Justice Network (MEJN) Executive Director Andrew Kumbatira told journalists in Lilongwe that the budget had allocated more resources for rural development in order to take care of the needs of the poor.

The economist noted that the funding that Gondwe outlined in parliament on Friday was important for the improvement of the masses, particularly the poor segment of society.

"It is expected that the budget can bring about marked enhancement of the quality of life among the poor people of this country," he said.

Gondwe presented to the house 2007/ 2008 a total expenditure of 162.8 billion kwacha (US$1.2 billion) which government hopes to start expending on 1 August – if parliament gives the green light.