This
site is designed for Internet Explorer and Netscape Navigator versions
4 and above and a screen resolution of at least 800x600
|
|
|
Jumbe cautions on political overdose
By
Pilirani Semu-Banda - 17-06-2002 |
|
|
Finance Minister Friday Jumbe urged people in the country, including donors and government officials to move away from getting involved with politics at the expense of the country’s economy.
Speaking at a reception held to commemorate Queen Elizabeth II’s golden jubilee last Friday where he was a guest, Jumbe urged donors, government officials and the civil society to “disengage a bit from politics” and get involved more in economic issues.
He said as Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, he wanted people to avoid a “political overdose” through engagement in political dialogue at “the expense of economic development”.
“All of us have been seriously engaged in political issues but we need to balance up the issues because politics alone cannot emancipate us from the current trap of poverty,” said Jumbe.
He said Malawi can only achieve a political emancipation as people express themselves more on economical issues.
“I urge all to save the energy required to engage the population in productivity issues which will go a long way in ensuring a proper balance between political and economical development,” said Jumbe.
He said since poverty in the country “is widespread, deep and severe”, this year’s national budget, scheduled to be presented in parliament at the end of this month, will be realistic in terms of resources available and what needs to be achieved.
“The focus will be on the need to turn the economy around,” said Jumbe.
He said government will be banking on “Her Majesty’s government”, the donor community, the private sector and other stakeholders for their contributions in ensuring that the budget and subsequent ones achieve their objectives.
Earlier, British High Commissioner Norman Ling urged government to fully implement such policies as the Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper if the country is to achieve a “dramatic improvement in economic performance”.
“Plans are one thing, implementation is another. Growth will only occur, and the private sector flourish, if the government creates the right economic environment,” said Ling.
|
|
|
|
|
|
