Finance Minister Bwalya Ng’andu says his job honeymoon is short as the terms of reference given to him by President Edgar Lungu to stabilize and grow the economy offer limited room for delay.
“Hard work is beckoning, the need for action is immediate, my honeymoon is short and my Ministry will require your unfettered support to push policy implementation and get work done,” Dr. Ng’andu told the Cooperating Partners Group (CPG), during a courtesy meeting held at the Ministry of Finance, this morning.
The Minister took the opportunity to assure the cooperating partners delegation that the Zambian Government values the relationships that it has with all stakeholders and “is therefore keen to strengthen existing ties through various development platforms.”
Dr. Ng’andu pledged to meet all the partners individually in order to reach common ground on areas that need attention “in order to stimulate faster implementation of development programmes.”
Meanwhile, the Cooperating Partners have today restated their commitment to support the implementation of the Seventh National Development Plan.
The CPG delegation has reaffirmed their support towards building a strong partnership with the Zambian Government.
Speaking as Chair of the Cooperating Partners Group German Head of Development Cooperation Christoph Fritz said the expressed assurance of the Zambian Government to implement austerity measures is a very important message to the international community as it demonstrates the resolve of the authorities in taking corrective measures in the country’s progression towards fiscal health.
The CPG also encouraged the Minister of Finance to continue with the country’s efforts towards acquisition of an IMF Supported Economic Programme in order to expand the financing options available to Zambia by way of support from other cooperating partners.
Among the other issues discussed in the courtesy meeting were debt management, financial governance, private sector development, value for money public investments, protection of social spending, and drought responsiveness. Further, the cooperating partners listed the e-voucher programme and the economic stabilisation and growth reforms among the issues that need the closer attention of the Zambian Government.
Contributing to the proceedings, African Development Bank Country Manager Mary Monyau announced the banks approval of a support package that will help Zambia with capacity improvement in domestic resource mobilisation and debt management while her World Bank counterpart Ina Marie Ruthenberg took the opportunity to bid farewell, stating that, 31st July, 2019, was her last day of duty.
During the meeting, the two parties agreed on the need for the Zambian Government to develop an action matrix that will help stakeholders to track progress in the implementation of socio-economic policies and reforms in key areas such as agriculture, energy and food security.
This is according to a statement issued by Ministry of Finance Spokesman Chileshe Kandeta.
This is the only Minister in the PF governments that seems to trigger some hope in me,i am looking forward to his plan on the GST.
@Buga, perhaps finally this ‘ship’ called Zambia will get some positive wind in the sail and starts moving in the correct direction. The corruption tag is something we really need to get rid of like yesterday.
He will be slowed down by Cabinet. Remember, he does not make independent decision. Interference from the top and carders will make him fail.
Given enough space, he can make positive strides!
Instead of getting on with it this chap is still day dreaming about his honey moon which happens over 50 years ago. Anyway elisa my white Swiss wife and I will be going for a massage today and then later going out for a meal. This heat in Europe means that elisa is wearing very short skirts ala my wife is beautiful. After so many years I still have same feelings for her. My ntwenu is always up around her
I’m white… but I hate white women. The pretty ones are usually stuck up in a bubble of narcissism. Seems you have that in common. Whatever rocks your boat… bro
I have never come across a white woman who says bro
Sir you inspire personally.You are a respected man and so dont engage yourself in the tribal trash that is shaming our country.The pile of cadres getting into the civil service tribally is unbelievable.I edge to pay off the retirees including those retired in national and public interests.Many are passing away and those still struggling to live are a living example of the shame of tribalism.
Someone is living on the moon.
@NEEZ honestly you are a dependant to your wife no wonder you praise her more than the creater God and she always check your comments that’s were you get points.i think you were her garden boy and no one fallen in love with her she decided to *** you dish you wish cash to be her lover.
Bonzo you must be a bozo clown hahaha you have made me laugh. For.your information I am the bread winner of my family and have always earned more than my white wife. Not that it matter if she ever earned more than me. This is the problem with men like you who only see white woman like Sara jay on p.o.r.n videos
Just out of curiosity, why does Lungu keep on appointing accountants to be Treasury bosses? Mutati was an accountant, Margaret too was one and in comes Dr Bwanya as the third. No country serious enough to half an economic slide does that, it’s foolish.
All I can say is good luck to him. By God, he’s going to need it. For him to be successful, there needs to be discipline and accountability from those running the show and thus far, these have been in short supply.
I thought we agree NO HONEYMOON. Who gave you a short one Doc?
We have no doubt in Dr Bealya Ngandu’s ability to turn things around! One thing that he needs right now is the support from all especially Mr Chagwa!
When Dr Ngandu says lets ground the Presidential jet for most of the year, we hope ba Chagwa will listen and obey!
We hope ba Chagwa will also listen to the loud call to halt further debt contraction! What I need to know is how much in Chinese debt does Zambia have? Is Chinese debt included in the USD 10 Billion plus debt recently announced or Chinese debt remains a mystery?
And this white wife thing? What has it got to do with CPG and MoF meeting?
That’s encouraging DOC. We need the assurance constantly to keep the hope afloat. With the right aproach, we know you can and we are behind you all the way.
NEEZ grow up and you are showing your foolishness to the bloggers you are the only person include your wife on all your comments we are all big people