Gov't budgets P890m for HB deal
Friday, February 09, 2024 | 540 Views |
Sealing deals: Masisi has said HB has significant upside value and can help the country’s downstream diamond dreams PIC: HB ANTWERP
While Finance Minister Peggy Serame revealed on Monday that the HB deal was one of three strategic acquisitions government was budgeting for in the 2024–2025 financial year, she did not give specifics of the amounts involved.
However, the draft budget estimates published indicate that government intends to pay P890 million or $65.1 million for the stake in the Belgian diamond trader.
Whilst celebrating milestones in inclusivity, with notably P5 billion awarded to vulnerable groups, the report sounds a 'siren' on a dangerous and growing trend: the ballooning use of micro-procurement. That this method, designed for small-scale, efficient purchases, now accounts for a staggering 25% (P8 billion) of total procurement value is not a sign of agility, but a 'red flag'. The PPRA’s warning is unequivocal and must be...