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IMF applauds Zimbabwe on meeting NDS1 targets

by Stephen Jakes
18 Apr 2022 at 07:32hrs | Views
THE International Monetary Fund (IMF) has applauded Zimbabwe for meeting the National Development Strategy (NDS1).

 This is revealed in the Zimbabwe Coalition for Debt and Development (Zimcodd) report.

"Acknowledging the International Monetary Fund (IMF), The Herald showcased a headline insinuating that Zimbabwe met several targets of the National Development Strategy (NDS) 1 for 2021 amidst calls for a financing plan and crystalizing of policies if all targets are to be met. Besides the indication that the government instituted Illustrative Active Policy Scenario (IAPS) congruent to medium-term growth objectives consistent with NDS1, the article does not provide specific milestones made in meeting the targets for the 14 NDS1 Priority Areas," reads the report.

 "Of importance is the fact that the NDS1 (2021-2025) took from the Transitional Stabilization Programme (2018-2020) which grossly missed its targets thereby setting a brittle background for NDS1. Pursuant of an independent monitoring mechanism meant to bridge the information gap created by the failure of government to provide timely NDS1 monitoring, and implementation progress reports as enshrined in the blueprint, a Civil Society Monitoring Mechanism (CISOMM) was set up in 2021 under the leadership of ZIMCODD."

Zimcodd reported that the augural NDS1 CISOMM report being launched on the 13th of April 2022 covering the exploits of the NDS1 for 2021 shows apostasy of the NDS1 from its set targets.

"Disregarding the diplomatic grandeur employed by the IMF in pointing out the derailed mission of the NDS1, the NDS1 CISSOM Report notes regression in poverty and income per capita levels in 2021; unstable macro-fiscal environment leading to massive depreciation of the ZWL against the greenback manifesting as unmanageable inflation in the economy; policy discord and inadequacies; an inept foreign exchange market; worsening corruption and other reform malfunction stifling progress in the social space," read the report.

"In 2021 the education and the health sectors remained suppressed from the effects of COVID-19 and the mitigatory measures fell short of extinguishing poor service in these social sectors. Arguably, notable the economy had a positive growth of 7.8% despite its exclusionary posture. Other critical sectors that require upliftment include transport, infrastructure, and utilities; structural transformation and domestication of value chains; expediting low-cost housing delivery; re-directing and re-orienting engagement and re-engagement; adequately funding devolution and expanding social protection given worsening poverty; capacitating the fight against corruption and natural resource governance."

Source - Byo24News
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