Dear finance minister

Dear finance minister

We mobile phone service providers play a vital role in the economy

We enable businesses and individuals communicate in real-time

We employ many employees and pay billions in taxes to the government annually

Have we mentioned that we give back to the community through our corporate social responsibility programs?

So if you reduce the excise duty on airtime and abolish import duty on handsets 

We will connect more subscribers who will then communicate often and cheaply, thereby earning more revenue for the government

Please favourably consider our request before you present this year's budget to parliament

Thank you

Dear finance minister

We cement manufacturers play a vital role in the economy

Without cement no construction can commence

We employ many people and pay billions in taxes to the government annually

Have we mentioned that we give back to the community through our corporate social responsibility programs?

So if you reduce the cost of electricity and either reduce or remove import duty on packaging paper and machinery

Construction activities will increase, from which both the economy and government will benefit

Please favourably consider our request before you present this year's budget to parliament

Thank you 

Dear finance minister

we banks play a vital role in the economy

We provide credit to businesses and individuals which enables them achieve their goals

We employ many people and pay billions in taxes to the government annually

Have we mentioned that we give back to the community through our corporate social responsibility programs?

So if you reduce the amount of money that we keep at the central bank as reserves

We will lend more money to more businesses and individuals that will engender economic and social development

Please favourably consider our request before you present this year's budget to parliament

Thank you 

Dear finance minister

We vehicle manufacturers play a crucial role in the economy

We enable people and goods reach their destinations and markets

We employ many people and pay billions in taxes to the government annually

Have we mentioned that we give back to the community through our corporate social responsibility programs?

So if you ban the importation of second-hand vehicles or raise the import duty

And allocate more money to road construction and maintenance

We will sell more vehicles, which means more people and goods will reach their destinations and markets faster, fresher and safer

Please favourably consider our request before you present this year's budget to parliament

Thank you

Dear finance minister

We publishers play a vital role in the economy

Our books, magazines, newspapers, novels and other reading material educate and entertain many readers

We employ many people and pay billions in taxes to the government annually

Have we mentioned that we give back to the community through our corporate social responsibility programs?

So if you reduce import duty on paper and machinery

More readers will afford our products and they will be informed

Which is a requirement in today's knowledge economy

Please favourably consider our request before you present this year's budget to parliament

Thank you 

Dear finance minister

We hawkers, craftsmen, roadside mechanics and caterers and other informal sector entrepreneurs play a crucial role in the economy

We sell cheap products and services to our-low income customers

We create employment opportunities for people unable to secure formal sector work

Our costs are high and profits small

But if you require us to obtain licences and start paying income tax, VAT, corporate tax and other levies

We will go bankrupt and our employees will lose their jobs

Our low-income customers will lack life's basic necessities, not to mention their right to choose

Please favourably consider our request before you present this year's budget to parliament

Thank you

Copyright 2007. festus mbuimwe aka wamoronjia