Sierra Leone’s Vice President Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh officially inaugurated the policy hearings for the FY2024 national budget preparation process on Friday, October 6th, 2023, at the Brookfields Hotel in Freetown. This event marked the beginning of the crucial national budget preparation process.

During his speech at the program, Vice President Juldeh Jalloh commended the Minister of Finance and his team for their commitment to shaping the FY2024 national budget, with a strong emphasis on consolidating the achievements of President Bio’s Human Capital Development program. These achievements encompass improvements in education, health, energy, infrastructure, and other vital sectors.

VP Juldeh Jalloh stressed the importance of directing attention to key sectors such as health, education, and agriculture. He highlighted these sectors as holding immense potential for job creation, economic growth, and achieving food self-sufficiency.

In his closing remarks, Vice President Jalloh called upon the Ministry of Finance to explore innovative approaches to increase revenue and manage public expenditure effectively. He suggested that these initiatives should include a comprehensive review of the tax regime to enhance the investment environment, active engagement and support for the private sector, and the development of pricing formulas to stabilize commodity prices, particularly for essential items like rice, onions, and flour.

The launch of the FY2024 national budget policy hearings underlines the government’s commitment to fostering sustainable economic growth and improving the quality of life for the citizens of Sierra Leone. This event sets the stage for further discussions and deliberations in shaping the nation’s financial priorities for the upcoming fiscal year.