via Zim needs ‘economic, mindset reform’ 27 November 2014
ZIMBABWE needs a combination of “reforms and will” to get the economy working again, a European Union (EU) official has said.
Speaking at a function held on Tuesday in Harare, EU head of delegation to Zimbabwe Philippe Van Damme said the regional bloc was willing to support the government to implement the reforms at both the national and institutional level.
“We are convinced that the Staff Monitored Programme will create legal framework and a conducive environment. I am convinced reforms are not enough. The country needs a reform of the mindset. The people of this country have to believe in the future. The people have to find their energy back,” he said.
Zimbabwe is now working on the second phase of its Staff Monitored Programme which is a successor to the first phase that expired in June this year. The first phase provided an anchor from macro-economic policies. The new programme is aimed at strengthening the external position, as a prerequisite for arrears’ clearance and resumption of debt service.
Van Damme said the country needed to open the economy on governance and its competitiveness since Zimbabwe had the requisite human capital and potential in the agricultural sector.
“Protectionism is not the solution as it protects a few people at the detriment of the consumers,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) steering committee is currently holding its meetings aimed at addressing trade related problems.
Industry and Commerce minister Mike Bimha said despite the country having signed the EPA there were still issues that have to be ironed out.
“There are issues that I think we still need to talk about and express our interest talk about these issues there is a future for all of us. We believe what we did was a sound decision and together will succeed,” Bimha said.
He said the Sadc region was convinced that it must focus more on industrialisation as one of the important pillars for economic growth.
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