Today is Budget Speech

The Bill, which among others, highlights the Estimates of Revenues, Recurrent and Development Expenditures of the government of the Gambia for the fiscal year 2009, was earlier submitted before the National Assembly for consideration and approval.

The 2009 budget has been framed against certain key assumptions for the attainment of The Gambia's economic and social objectives. These, among others, include the attainment of real GDP growth rates of 4.6 - 6 percent for 2009, reduce inflation from a projected 8 percent by end- December 2008 to below 6 percent by 2009.

It also aims at achieving a level of international reserves, equivalent to about 3.5 - 5 months and a deficit basic balance of D100 million in 2009.

Meanwhile, the National Assembly will on Monday 22nd December 2008 receive and consider the Law Revision (Amendment) Bill 2008 and also debate on the Appropriation Bill 2009.