Proper infrastructure such as roads, water and electricity supply are essential for attracting private sector to contribute in the country's economic development.

This was the view of the Minister of Finance and Development Planning, Dr Timothy Thahane when speaking over the Appropriation (2008/2009) Bill, 2008 in the National Assembly on Wednesday.

Dr Thahane said the country's economic growth will create the necessary job opportunities, only if the country promotes by best practices in good governance, sound financial management and anti-corruption.

The minister also highlighted the importance of peace and stability for a country to progress, saying investors want to make profits and prefer working at a peaceful environment.

On the other hand, the leader of Marematlou Freedom Party (MFP), Mr. Moeketse Malebo said now that parliamentary portfolio committees are in place, the country is likely to prosper.

However, he noted the need for members of the committees to read financial rules and regulations so that they could monitor finances they have allocated to the Ministries to ensure that they are used accordingly.

He also urged the Minister responsible to ensure that members of the portfolio committees are equipped with the necessary skills to conduct their work of monitoring government ministries with ease.

The objective of the Bill is to allocate for 2008/2009 fiscal year, the amount of M7, 782,349,069 to government ministries for both Recurrent and Capital expenditures.

The sources of the amount to be allocated are the Government Revenues which amount to M8, 023,864.924, donor grants of M690, 539, 00 and donor loans of M354, 800,000.

Source: LENA 19/03/2008