Zimbabwe: Commentary urges finance minister to focus on economic recovery.

Text of report by privately-owned weekly newspaper The Zimbabwe Independent website on 30 September

[Commentary by Eric Bloch: "Govt Expenditure Must Be Reduced"]

Last week Finance minister Tendai Biti commenced public consultation on what should be the content of Zimbabwe's budget for 2011. That he intends to consult widely is very commendable, although some have reservations and concerns as to the genuineness and credibility of the consultation process. Bearing in mind that invitations for participation at the first consultation sessions were only issued with 24 hours notice, resulting in a large chunk of the business community being unable to attend, due to prior commitments. Moreover, feedback from some who did attend suggests that, to a very major extent, the so-called consultation was a detailed recounting by the minister of his intentions, with only limited opportunity for attendees to respond. Notwithstanding, Biti deserves commendation for his declared resolute intent to adhere to his policy that government should only spend that which it has, instead of emulating past governments by endless …