Namibia: No-budget budget provokes concern

The future for Namibia's development projects is looking grim as while the country's debt is still manageable, the State's financial situation leaves little room for manoeuvre. The warning bells that Government is strapped for cash was sounded by Finance Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila announcing this week that for the first time since Independence no additional budget would be tabled this year. At the heart of the dilemma is a smaller than expected revenue for the 2003-04 financial year - a billion dollars less than forecast.