By Nasuha Badrul Huzaini
SHAH ALAM, Dec 11 — The 2022 Selangor Budget has included comprehensive measures which are deemed attractive to investors, says Dr Mohd Afzanizam Abdul Rashid.
The Bank Islam Berhad chief economist said the state’s budget covers major components including healthcare, digitalisation and economy.
He said Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari had specifically stated several key sectors such as aerospace and rail industries as well as agriculture sectors, which would receive more focus next year.
“My first impression of the budget was that the state government is very savvy and a lot of references were made towards historical context.
“In a nutshell, I think the state’s budget is very comprehensive,” he said during the Table Talk show titled ‘2022 Selangor Budget: On Managing Risk, Building Resilience’ broadcast live on Media Selangor social media platforms last night.
The economist also commented on the state’s fiscal deficit next year and he opined that the deficit level has proved that the Selangor government is very committed to managing the recovery process against the Covid-19 virus.
“As we all know, the threats of Covid-19 are yet to be over and the discovery of variants of concern has continuously challenged the recovery process.
“In that sense, there is an urgency of rather a form of intervention policies to be instituted, therefore the deficit level is showing the state government’s commitment to supporting the economy,” he added.
The #Selangor2022 budget has allocated a total of RM2.34 billion for the state in an effort to benefit more people, the business community and the economy.
Taking into account the expected state revenue of RM2.1 billion and the estimated expenditure of RM2.323 billion, the #Selangor2022 budget would see a deficit of RM222.7 million.
On Nov 27, Amirudin said the over RM200 million deficit would not burden the state government as the state has a growing and strong reserve that can be used.
