LETS US DEBATE IMF, SAYS HAMUDUDU
By MUKOSELA KASLWE THERE is need to adequately debate on the best refinancing package option beyond the International Monetary Fund to ease the economic distress in Zambia, says Party of National Unity president Highvie Hamududu.
Mr Hamududu said it was important to debate on the most suitable international economic partnership for Zambia’s economic growth including the IMF.
He said the economic challenges the country faced were well known by political stakeholders and that they called for a collective approach which could quickly put the country’s economy on a path of pragmatic growth of inclusive development.
In an interview yesterday, Mr Hamududu said it was vital to analyse certain issues with regards to the refinancing package such as beneficial trade partners that would hold a brighter promise for Zambia’s economic prospects and help tackle unemployment, income inequalities and high poverty levels.
He said other concerns included where to access the package whether it be western countries or multilateral financial institutions or the emerging eastern world, namely China.
Mr Hamududu said the highlighted questions needed to be debated adequately in a spirit of unity of purpose and reach a consensus quickly to put the country on a path of enduring growth and prosperity for all citizens.
‘‘Let us debate on the most suitable international economic partnership for growth. Which partners in the global arena make more practical and beneficial economic sense for us as a country? Who are our beneficial trade partners that hold a brighter promise for our country’s producers?
“We have elephants in our room, ‘the rising national debt’ and ‘ineffective service delivery by the public service agencies’? Where can we look to for a more appropriate refinancing pack- age to ease the fiscal stress the country is in? Is it the western countries or multilateral financial institutions or could it be the emerging eastern world?’’ Mr Hamududu said.
Mr Hamududu said the PNU was available for such a debate and that they would soon give a researched position on such matters of national importance in the spirit of unity of purpose.