“MADANI” BUDGET 2023: MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS WELCOMES THE NATIONAL BUDGET TOWARDS A SUSTAINABLE AND SOCIALLY EQUITABLE ECONOMIC GROWTH
“MADANI” BUDGET 2023: MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS WELCOMES THE NATIONAL BUDGET TOWARDS A SUSTAINABLE AND SOCIALLY EQUITABLE ECONOMIC GROWTH
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) expresses its appreciation and gratitude to YAB Prime Minister and the Ministry of Finance for the tabling of Budget 2023 themed “Pembangunan Malaysia Madani”. Budget 2023 is a clear manifestation and commitment of the Government in driving the country's economic recovery towards ensuring the continued development of Malaysia for the wellbeing of the rakyat in line with Malaysia Madani.
MFA also welcomes Budget 2023 which goes directly towards supporting Malaysia's efforts in promoting, defending and protecting the country's interests on the world stage. These efforts are in line with Malaysia’s Foreign Policy Framework in a Post-Pandemic World and the Ministry’s Strategic Plan for 2021 – 2025. Towards this end, MFA will continue to engage and collaborate strategically with relevant Ministries and agencies.
MFA has been allocated a budget of RM971,134,100.00 for 2023 as compared to RM868,506,400 in 2022. Out of this total, RM809,613,800 has been allocated for Operating Expenditure and RM161,520,300 has been allocated for Development Expenditure. These allocations translate to increases of 6.49% and 49.28% for the Operating and Development Expenditures respectively in 2023, in comparison to the respective expenditures approved for 2022.
The increased allocations for the said Operating and Development Expenditures for 2023 will be utilised to strengthen and defend the country's strategic interests on global issues, such as global peace, food security, sustainable development and climate change, in addition to promoting the Malaysia Madani concept internationally. MFA will also intensify efforts in stimulating economic growth by way of facilitating foreign direct investment (FDI) into Malaysia and Malaysia’s direct investment abroad (DIA).
Budget 2023 will ensure MFA continues to deliver people-centric services in a transparent, rapid and effective manner. This includes efforts to transform consular services that act as a touchpoint with the rakyat in order to enhance the effectiveness of our service delivery system. At present, MFA is actively enhancing the delivery of digital consular services in line with current technological advancements, in addition to improving the delivery of consular assistance to Malaysians in distress, including aiding Malaysians who have fallen victim to job scam syndicates.
Budget 2023 will also go towards upgrading MFA’s service infrastructure at home and abroad, improving the welfare of officers, and expanding human capital development programmes.
MFA would like to reiterate the Ministry's strong commitment in delivering exceptional services and contributing towards realising our national aspirations. Budget 2023 that was tabled in Parliament yesterday can strengthen the Ministry’s service delivery towards becoming more responsive, people-oriented and integrous.
PUTRAJAYA
25 February 2023