Malawi seeking economic recovery, spell out plan
Malawi government will launch an ambitious economic recovery plan that will turn the southern country at a long-term into a progressive developmental State.
The economy of Malawi, one of the world’s poorest countries, was shattered by former president late Bingu wa Mutharika’s poor governance record which followed with suspension of foreign aid.
But President Mrs Joyce Banda who has been in power since April 7 moved swiftly to restore relations with donors and to invite the IMF back to Malawi.
Government spokesman Moses Kunkuyu said on Saturday that the President has been at Chikoko Bay lakeshore situated State Lodge in Mangochi banging heads with her cabinet on the economic recovery strategies and government is set to roll-out the plat with the same ultimate goal, to steer the country away from poverty to prosperity.
Kunkuyu is quoted by the official Malawi News Agency that saying that the Ministry of Economic Planning and Development which is headed by Atupele Muluzi has been entrusted with the task of leading all the other ministries in driving the Economic Recovery Plan (ERP) .
“It is expected that the Malawi Growth Development Strategy (MGDS-II) and the ERP will be launched together at a date the Minister of Economic Planning and Development will announce, to embrace the 9 priorities of MGDS-11,” said Kunkuyu as quoted by Mana.
The Information Minister disclosed that Ministries of Agriculture and Food Security; Transport and Public Work; Trade and Industry; Tourism; Culture and that of Energy and Mining will be spearheading the ERP.
Kunkuyu said his ministry of information will also be a key player to utilise skills of e-Government, digital broadcasting and the National College of Information Technology (NACIT).
“The focus on ICT is not surprising bearing in mind that all countries that have developed world -wide had to use such a device,” said Kunkuyu.
Economic Planning Minister, Muluzi, said he was confident the country’s sickening economy would be normalised at least by next fiscal year.
He said that government will also ensure that they hold “consultative meetings with the private sector, the engine for growth,”
Muluzi said Malawi needs an economic recovery on a stronger foundation.
“We cannot be donor dependent forever. We need to mobilise ourselves in terms of resources, capacity . We need to deliver,” Muluzi said.
Muluzi added: “We believe that we have the right fundamental to put our economy back on the track.”
He said President Banda’s administration will take concerted action to create jobs to spur growth and development.
Muluzi said the strategy the government has put in place will give them guidance and that “coupled with the monitoring and evaluation team then the turn-around strategy will be achieved within short period of time.”
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