The Minister of Finance Mr Trevor A Manuel, MP will present the Medium Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) to Parliament on Tuesday, 21 October 2008. Only journalists (and not analysts) will be given access to the documents in a lock-up under police surveillance.
Lock-ups have been arranged both in Cape Town and Pretoria. Please note that no information contained in any of the documents prior to the lifting of the embargo on 21October 2008 may be leaked, as this would jeopardise future arrangements. A breach in the embargo is considered very serious and is dealt with in the same manner.
Journalists are required to confirm their details with Lindani Mbunyuza on (012) 315 5645 or lindani.mbunyuza@treasury.gov.za by no later than 13 October 2008.
Stories can be transmitted to Editors ONLY from 13:00 (with full observation of the embargo).
Cellphones are to be switched off and handed to National Treasury officials.
30 (Imbizo media centre, 120 Plein Street, Cape Town).
For access to Parliament for the speech at 14:00, please liaise with the Parliamentary Media Unit.
Nobody will be allowed to leave the lock-up before 14:00.
National Treasury officials will be available in case of any emergencies. Refreshments will be served at 09:30 and 12:30.
All documentation will be available on our website (www.treasury.gov.
Minister starts his address.