My honeymoon is short – Ng’andu

Finance Minister Bwalya Ng’andu says his 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.

Speaking during a meeting with the Cooperating Partners Group which paid a courtesy call on him, Dr Ng’andu says the need for action is immediate.

He says his ministry will require the unfettered support of the cooperating partners to push policy implementation and get work done.

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 restated their commitment to support the implementation of the Seventh National Development Plan.

Speaking as Chair of the Cooperating Partners group, German Head of Development Cooperation Christoph Fritz says the assurance by 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 efforts towards the acquisition of an IM supported Economic Programme in order to expand the financing options available to Zambia by way of support from other cooperating partners.

During the meeting, the two parties also 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 good security.