Consensus needed over IMF package’

MINISTRY of Finance and Bank of Zambia officials must speak with one voice as they engage the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to secure a rescue package, Economist Oliver Saasa has advised. Professor Saasa said IMF bailout was important for Zambia and thus all financial sectors in Government must speak with one voice. He pointed out that the IMF package was a non-partisan issue, which required stakeholders to support Government secure the package. “There is need for all to speak with one voice, starting with Ministry of Finance officials, Bank of Zambia and other key stakeholders for the country to secure this important package,” Prof Saasa said. He said national development was non-partisan and hence the need for non-state actors including the civil society to come on board and support Government efforts in securing the IMF bailout package. Prof Saasa said the Bank of Zambia, Ministry of Finance and all key stakeholders should have a consensus so that they could speak with one voice. He explained that the IMF would help improve debt management so that the economy was not adversely affected. Prof Saasa added that the IMF programme would attract goodwill from the international community such as bilateral and multilateral agencies. The IMF package, he said, would also boost investor confidence and improve discipline in the management of public resources. He said his firm, Premier Consul, last week invited high level senior Government officials in an effort to bring Government and private sector together. Prof Saasa said the private sector would support Government’s quest to get the IMF bailout.