Rudo Saungweme
United States of America (U.S.A) Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Brian Nichols stated that the International Monetary Fund,s Staff Monitoring Programme and Transitional Stabilisation Program (TSP) are the right way forward to get Zimbabwe back on its feet.
Tweeting on the Embassy’s twitter handle, Ambassador Nichols said, “Zimbabwe has tremendous potential and wonderful human capital. But you cannot fix two decades of failed policies overnight. The IMF Staff Monitoring Program and TSP are the right way forward to get Zimbabwe back on its feet,” he said.
The TSP draws its policy thrust from Vision 2030 which seeks to transform Zimbabwe into an Upper Middle Income Economy by 2030, focusing on immediate quick-wins that are aligned to reality and capacity, and laying a robust base for economic growth.
The TSP program prioritise the transforming agriculture with greater involvement of the domestic financial system in underpinning the financing of agriculture, as well as improving farmer access to markets for livestock and other agricultural produce.
Minister of Finance and Economic Development Honourable Mthuli Ncube speaking at the 2018 Pre-Budget Seminar in Bulawayo last year said that the roadmap to economic recovery had three items which are; the presentation of a credible economic reform plan (TSP), clearance of Africa Development Bank and World Bank debt arrears and clearance of Paris Club debt arrears.
In response to Ambassador Nichol’s tweet, Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Permanent Secretary, Nick Mangwana tweeted that the Government has a solid plan to move forward Zimbabwe.
“The Government has a solid plan moving forward, 2019 has already been a difficult year for Zimbabweans economically and things will be more difficult, I can’t sugar-coat that. But people have to keep it in perspective that this is a Government that is dealing with 2 decades of decay,” he posted.
Mangwana added to say that Zimbabweans must understand that reform is painful.
“Zimbabweans have to understand that reform is painful. It is bitter and it doesn’t taste like Cherry plum,” he said.
Mangwana went on to tweet some of the achievements that the Government has scored which includes the reviving and opening of industries.
“Actions already speak of a commitment to transforming the country. Only yesterday, Zimcoke was opened bringing life to Redcliff. On Monday this week, Sino Zimbabwe Brick Company was opened creating hundreds of jobs. Two major employers opened in one week. That is action,” he posted.
