Johannesburg - Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan faced a problem in balancing limited income with the needs of South Africans in the 2013 Budget, Agri SA said on Wednesday.
"The minister of finance most certainly faced a serious challenge, to balance limited income potential with the economic and social needs of the country," Agri SA president Johannes Mller said in a statement.
"Quite clearly the minister, as in the past, tried to convince the public to enhance tax morality -- a difficult task given the high levels of corruption and fraud still prevailing."
Gordhan's intention to keep a tight control on expenditure was laudable.
"We especially welcome the emphasis on the implementation of the national development plan... It will most certainly bring a degree of certainty to the business sector with respect to the future economic environment, which will foster investor confidence."
From an agricultural perspective, increases in fuel levies and excise duties were not welcomed.
"Admittedly, the fuel levy increase was more subdued compared to what could have been the case, given income constraints government is facing."
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