‘Zim registers progress in economic, political reforms’

Herald Reporter

Zimbabwe has registered significant economic and political progress which has seen the alignment of laws to the constitution almost complete, while enhancing revenue collection through taxes, customs and the two percent intermediated mobile transfer tax.

Finance and Economic Development Minister Mthuli Ncube said in a presentation entitled “Progress on Economic and Structural Reforms in Zimbabwe: “Political Reforms saw the repeal and replacement of Public Order and Security Act (POSA), and Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

“The implementation of devolution is ongoing while alignment of laws to the Constitution is almost complete. Constitutional amendments are ongoing.”

In the presentation, Minister Ncube said under the economic reforms, there was the re-introduction of local currency, introduction of Dutch Forex Auction and removal of fuel and electricity subsidies.

The reforms resulted in the introduction of inter-operability of mobile money platforms and fiscal consolidation.

Under the mining industry, Minister Ncube said a lot of strides had been made, with the US$4,2 billion Great Dyke Investments Platinum Mine already under construction.

“The US$4 billion Karo Resources Mhondoro-Ngezi platinum project is ahead of schedule, Arcadia Lithium Mine is being developed and new coal mines have been opened,” he said.

“There have been massive roadworks which included the rehabilitation of urban roads funded by the Zimbabwe National Road Administration, the District Development Fund rehabilitating rural roads in all districts, while the Harare-Beitbridge Highway is under dualisation.

“The health sector witnessed the introduction of the education new school curriculum, student accommodation being built at universities and establishment of hubs at universities.

“In the agriculture sector, Government replaced Command Agriculture with private sector funded Smart Agriculture. Land audit was completed and farm downsizing is in progress.”

Minister Ncube said the agricultural sector also saw the signing of the Global Compensation Deed.

Major infrastructure projects include expansion of Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport, construction of New Parliament Building and expansion and modernisation of the Beitbridge Border Post, he said.