HOW WILL COVID-19 AFFECT BUDGET 2021?

Budget 2021 is expected to be tabled on November 6. The session will be the first -by the current government and it is also the first in a very long time to be affected by a crisis, a healthcare crisis particularly.

- POOVENRAJ KANAGARAJ

Finance Minister, Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz has mentioned that Putrajaya will focus on four “broad themes” in the upcoming session.

Education, employment, social protection and social mobility were among the focus themes that are expected to be featured prominently in the Budget. The Finance Minister further highlighted other related areas will include ensuring gross domestic product (GDP) growth for 2021, increasing foreign direct investment (FDI) and consumer confidence.

“Budget 2021 will be complemented by the earlier economic recovery packages rolled out by the government, including the National Economic Recovery Plan (Penjana) and Prihatin Rakyat Economic Stimulus Package, to address the drastic economic slowdown brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic,” Tengku Zafrul was quoted in a news report.

So how will this year’s session be any different than the previous ones. BusinessToday speaks to economists and think tank researchers to share their thoughts on the possible outcome of Budget 2021.