Will #Budget2017 sweeten the deal or ruffle feathers?
Updated | By Shaun Ryan
All eyes will be on Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan - when he delivers his 2017 Budget Speech in Parliament this afternoon.
Analysts are widely expecting Gordhan to increase taxes - and possibly even VAT - to boost government's revenue following several years of sluggish economic growth.
In KZN, the chicken and sugar industries will also be listening to the Minister carefully.
ALSO READ: Sugar tax may have dire consequences for workers in food industry: FAWU
Deloitte's Ruwayda Redfearn says the local sugar industry will want to hear more about the proposed sugar tax.
"The province is home to major sugarcane growers, soft drink producers and bottlers, as well as multinationals - for whom sugar is a key component of their product offerings. So we think there will be more information on the sugar tax - each business will be impacted to some extent," she said.
ALSO READ: LISTEN: Feathers ruffled as angry employees demand govt 'take back the chicken'
Redfearn says KZN's chicken industry will also be interested to see if government weighs in on the cheap imports issue.
"In reference to the crisis - acknowledging that the government is taking this very seriously. But they need to go a long way to win confidence, in that respect," she said.
Deloitte has also identified government's Operation Phakisa - aimed at unlocking South Africa's ocean economy - as another key area of interest for KZN.
Gordhan will deliver his budget speech at 2pm today.
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