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The Premier Dipico welcomes the budget speech as presented by the National Minister of Finance, Mr Trevor Manuel, to the National Assembly, today (26 February 2003. The budget is clearly expansionary and clearly intended to reinforce growth in the economy.

It is overall a very good budget and good news for all South Africans. The budget speech continued on the trend that was commenced on the previous year on its expansionary approach.

It is important to note that the main focus of the budget is to:

* alleviate poverty
* promote effective service delivery
* stimulate growth in the economy
* increase spending on infrastructure development and job creation
* expand on research in science and technology

It affirmed the government's commitment to improve the quality of life for all our people and to direct our society towards meeting the broad social needs of our people.

The following must also be welcomed:

* the extension of the child support grant to bring more eligible children into the system
* the increase in pension grants.

The Premier further supports the significant allocation to ensure an enhanced response to the HIV/AIDS pandemic.

We also welcome the tax proposals because they are fairly moderate.

The road ahead remains the completion of our historic mission, i.e. to ensure a better and brighter future for the whole nation. The various tax proposals will put money in the pocket of many people, especially amongst the lower income groups, as well as middle-income earners.

Support to economic empowerment is very encouraging.

Increased allocation to provinces is most welcome and will enable us to meet our service delivery obligations.

We are indeed confident that given the fact that government was able to live within its budget in the previous year that it will continue to exercise proper budget control and discipline in the next financial year.

Contact: Mafu Davids on 0834489156

Issued by the Office of the Premier

26 February 2003