By Nyasha Mutena
Harare, Zimbabwe. (News of The south) – Zimbabwean Government has been urged to reform first, show civil and predictable business environment and work hard towards earning trust and shun corruption if plans to resuscitate the economy which is currently on a severe meltdown are anything to go by.
Addressing a packed Food for thought session, a forum where the youth meet for systematic dialogues every Tuesday in Harare, the American Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Mr Brian A Nichols said America is always eager to do business and has a huge commitment to support Zimbabwe.
Mr Nichols said Zimbabwe is getting over 6 million from foreign exchange which, if distributed properly would fast track the road to prosperity. He went on to say that Corruption has to be tackled effectively as mismanagement of resources plunged the country’s economy into mayhem.
“Zimbabwe is getting over 6 million from foreign exchange and if that money is distributed properly, it will surely do wonders to the economy.
In its efforts to assist, Mr Nichols said on top of the USD2,5 million American aid to Cyclone Idai victims, they have has added another USD600 000 for the Cyclone Idai victims .
“America is adding another USD600 000 for the Cyclone Idai victims, last year only we gave Zimbabwe over 293 million dollars,” he also said.
The Director of Labour and Economic Development Research Institute of Zimbabwe, Mr Godfrey Chinyenze said Zimbabwe need to unite as currently it is a fragmented nation and take full responsibility for the current situation if the economy is going to be revived from its current downward spiral mode.
He concurred with Mr Nichols on the urgent need to eradicate corruption and topple unscrupulous officials who have a mind-set of being served instead of serving the nation once they assume office.
“We need people who are reliable to ensure the parastatals they represent are efficient, people are going to politics to be served, not to serve and we should change that culture because leadership is about serving,” said Mr Chinyenze.
Managing Director of Telone, Mrs Chipo Mtasa said there has to be a channel of funds directed towards the private sector so that it expands and ultimately be in a position to employ.
Another panellist, Mrs Judith Kaulem, from the Poverty Reduction Trust said Zimbabwe has resources but it was lacking prioritisation. Senior Economic Officer at U.S Embassy, Mr Christopher Hunnicut said America is trying to influence the government to reform and keep up on that path. He said dialogue platforms are requisite for Zimbabwe in its path to prosperity.
He said despite the currently imposed sanctions which are targeting 56 companies and 85 individuals, they were a lesser evil than leaders who are overspending and further submerging the economy.
“America is always willing and committed to helping Zimbabwe but it has to reform we are always encouraging to keep up to these reforms, overspending led to spending to the inflation” Said Mr Hunnicut.
This comes amid the formation of a Coalition Against Sanctions Zimbabwe (CAS)Z, an organization which is dedicated to advocate for an end to sanctions and is being by Zimbabwe Amalgamated Council of Churches (ZACC).
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