Budget Office

Mandate

The department provides independent, objective, professional and simplified expert analysis and impact assessment to Parliament and its Committees on matters related to the budget and related bills and economic policies thereby enhancing Parliament and its Committees capacity to objectively debate national budgets and other key Government economic policies.

Functions of the Parliament Budget Office

Analysis of the National Budget Proposals – The PBO undertakes a technical review of the budgetary estimates contained in the Executive’s budget and produces analysis reports for committees and Members of Parliament to enable the legislature to objectively debate the various provisions of the national budget.
Analysis of National Economic Development Policy Proposals – The PBO objectively analyse national economic development policies including Monetary and Fiscal Policy Statements and Annual and Mid Term Development Plans. The principal objective of the review process is to evaluate whether national resources are deployed optimally across competing needs and priorities. The medium to long-term impact assessments of government programmes enables Parliament to debate on development evaluation and to propose policy adjustments in order to avoid policy inconsistencies.
Analysis of Quarterly Budget Performance – Section 299 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe obliges Parliament to monitor and oversee expenditure by all state institutions to ensure that all revenue is accounted for, all expenditure has been properly incurred. The PBO analysis quarterly budget performance reports to ensure that public funds are expended transparently, prudently, economically and effectively.
Analysis of Auditor General’s Reports. To enhance the effectiveness of the Public Accounts Committee in examining Ministries, local authorities and State-Owned Enterprises and Parastatals on audit observations.
Conducting Public Consultations – The PBO facilitate the citizen engagement in the budget formulation process through nationwide consultations and feedback meetings. Public engagement strengthens democratic participation and enhances budgetary accountability.
Preparing Economic Policy Briefs – The PBO prepares simplified briefs on budgets and other economic concepts for the benefit of Members of Parliament, the media, civil society and the public in general. The time demands placed on policy makers as well as the complexity of budgets, create a demand for such policy briefs.