Zanu-PF to set up think tank

via Zanu-PF to set up think tank | The Herald December 12, 2015

Zanu-PF is in the process of setting up a think tank that will be responsible for generating policies, interrogate their robustness and advise the party on the policy direction.

According to the party’s Central Committee report presented and adopted by delegates at the 15th National People’s Conference in Victoria Falls yesterday, the party’s Department of Economic Affairs said direction on the composition of the think tanks was being awaited from the Politburo.

“It is also imperative that the party provides policy direction in order to ensure policy consistency, clarity and predictability. The department is, therefore, playing a crucial policy role that would entail policy formulation and providing guidance on implementation.

“The department acknowledges that policy is a key enabler for economic growth and socio-economic transformation. A holistic approach to policy making and implementation is, therefore, recommended in order to achieve Zim-Asset targets.

“Operationalising the think tank will assist the party to develop policies and programmes that will feed into the country’s long-term development plans.”

The report calls for the embracing of long-term development plans instead of remaining stuck in the short term.

“The country’s industry competitiveness remains low due to an underperforming agricultural sector, working capital constraints and high cost structures. Promoting agricultural sector productivity given its linkages with manufacturing sector is key to the country’s transformation.”

It was also noted that effective implementation of the national policies was essential.

“It is important that clear targets and delivery timelines be given to the implementing units in Government. Policy clarity, consistency and predictability are the cornerstone of a conducive business environment. This will help the country attract domestic and international investment,” reads the report.

Industry was urged to take advantage of the depreciating South African rand to import equipment and machinery.

The report said the country’s international re-engagement process was expected to help address perceptions about the country risk.

“Zimbabwe is a member of the International Monetary Fund, World Bank and African Development Bank. Sadly, because of the arrears, the country is not enjoying the full benefits of its membership. Addressing the debt issue will enable both the public and private sectors access capital at favourable rates on the international markets. This will widen our possible sources of funding which will in turn enhance the country’s bargaining position on the international financial markets.

“Government has been implementing the Staff Monitored Programme that has helped the country build a credible track record of implementing comprehensive and sound macroeconomic policies which is a critical step in re-engaging the international community.”

In promoting investments, Government continues to explore ways of improving the investment climate by addressing cost and ease of doing business, promoting policy clarity and consistency, protection of investment, establishing Special Economic Zones and addressing infrastructural bottlenecks among others.

Special Economic Zones have since been identified as follows: leather and textiles (Bulawayo), petrochemical (Lupane), tourism and finance (Victoria Falls), technological hub (Sunway City) and diamond cutting (Harare and Mutare).

“A number of initiatives are being pursued by Government in order to restore macroeconomic stability. These interventions are informed by the country’s leadership’s appreciation of the main challenges facing the country that include liquidity challenges, declining tax base, rising informal, small and medium sector activities, low banking sector confidence, rising corruption, high cost of doing business, loss of industry competitiveness, industry capacity constraints, infrastructural gaps and threat of climate change.”

In addressing infrastructural gap, Government has facilitated investment in critical infrastructural projects in the areas of energy generation, water and sanitation, road infrastructure, irrigation and dams among others.

Support towards priority infrastructure projects amounted to $218 million during the first half of 2015.

Zanu-PF has launched a quarterly magazine, “The Economic Watch”, to raise awareness of the socio-economic developments in the country, policies and future direction of the economy among party members.

“This will address misinformation by some sections of the media and information asymmetric problem among party members.”