<h1>Finance Minister Consults Economists on Budget 2019-20: Focus on Growth, Jobs, Manufacturing, and Structural Reforms.</h1> The Finance Minister held a pre-budget consultation with economists to discuss the upcoming General Budget 2019-20, focusing on economic growth, job creation, fiscal management, and investment. Economists emphasized the importance of setting a long-term growth strategy, promoting manufacturing through Make in India, and implementing structural reforms. Suggestions included tariff reforms, supply-chain improvements, fiscal consolidation, and boosting employment through skilling. Other topics included GST simplification, a Direct Tax Code, digital transaction incentives, and an IBC framework for NBFCs. Participants included senior government officials and prominent economists from various institutions.