Kampala — THE private sector wants the 2010/11 budget to boost Uganda's regional competitiveness by improving the business environment and putting in place a consistent tax policy.

They also want the Government to consider tax reforms and expenditure programmes that will increase consumption and investment ahead of the implementation East African Community common market in July 2010.

The private sector was discussing their proposals to the Government during a pre-budget forum organized by PricewaterhouseCoopers recently. The meeting drew participants from the services, manufacturing, agriculture and the oil and gas sectors.

The private sector has in the recent past been grappling with the high cost of doing business arising from high fuel and energy costs, a fluctuating currency, high lending rates and lack of access to finance, bureaucracy, corruption and non-tariff barriers, which hinder business.

They also asked the Government to harmonise taxes in the region and remove those that hinder business growth.