By Joyce Mukucha
In line with the Vision 2030 of attaining an upper-middle economy by 2030, Government is working on a five-year National Development Strategy (NDS) to augment inclusive development.
In a statement on Sunday, the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development said the strategy will replace the Transitional Stabilisation Programme (TSP), a two-year economic blueprint launched in October 2018 which runs its course in December.
The Programme focused on stabilising the macro-economy, laying a foundation for sustainable and shared private sector-led growth among other things.
“The Transitional Stabilisation Programme (TSP) launched on 5 October 2018, marked the commencement of a development journey towards the attainment of the country’s Vision 2030, is coming to an end in December 2020.
“To date, the Programme has achieved notable milestones on fiscal consolidation, monetary policy restoration, liberalisation of the foreign exchange market, structural and governance reforms, re-engagement, investment promotion and support for the productive sectors,” read the Ministry of Finance statement.
“Pursuant to this and in line with Vision 2030, the end of the TSP marks the beginning of the first 5-Year National Development Strategy (NDS1) – (2021-2025); and the second 5 – Year National Development Strategy (NDS2) – (2026-2030.”
The Ministry of Finance and Economic Development will in due course undertake outreach programmes targeting all stakeholders in order to gather views, as part of the wider stakeholder consultations.
“The Government of Zimbabwe, therefore, wishes to inform citizens, private sector, non-governmental organisations, and co-operating partners, among other stakeholders that the preparations for the development of the first 5-Year National Development Strategy have officially started. The Strategy is expected to be launched in September 2020, coinciding with the preparations for the 2021 National Budget.”