President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s 2030 vision of a Middle Income status for Zimbabwe is within reach, the Zimbabwe Coalition on Debt and Development (ZIMCODD) Executive Director Janet Zhou has said.
Addressing the media in the capital today, Zhou said the Vision 2030 pronounced by Mnangagwa against the backdrop of past economic policy failures, provides positive aspects anchored on the government’s Transitional Stabilization Programme which inspires confidence in the economic growth.
“I am sure by 2030 we can actual become a middle income economy, it’s not a very high target. Our GDP per capita should be something like $3000 and right now they reimburse is about $1500. So we are not even far from being a middle income country and we can reach that,”
“But the issue is how this will translate to enhance people’s livelihoods. Definitely it is possible to be a middle income economy country by 2030. And actual the target is very low in terms of numbers. It is possible to reach that but then the question is how does it translates into our livelihoods, how is it translating into giving us jobs because of high unemployment rate.
“How is it translating into the informal sector? How is translating into pro poor `and people centred blue prints that will stick to our issues of social entrepreneurship for the benefit of our business along the way as we don the investment,” Zhou said.
She said the government has to satisfy key economic demands including keeping a close eye to those who live large to curb tax evasions and complacency.
“Life style audits for the rich should be done without fear of favour to avoid revenue leakages and policies should be promulgated to enhance transparency and tax compliance…
“End the under taxation of rich individuals and corporations. Review the 2 percent tax in favour of low income earners to redeem them from the piercing economic meltdown,”
The ZIMCODD director is of the view that the government should open up sufficient and equal platforms for equal opportunities for both women and youth to lure them into participation.
“The recently held protest against fuel prices leave a lot to be desired in terms of the inequality in the country. The protests were a clear sign that Zimbabweans are existing in different social strata and social stratification is the greatest sign of inequality. Protest loomed in high density residential areas and none was recorded in leafy suburbs,” she added.
In its review report, ZIMCODD notes that the Vision 2030 is elitist hence a minority target.
“What is therefore required in the implementation of solutions is the ability of the state to use its autonomy to open spaces of national dialogue and consult, negotiate and build consensus with citizens and through their representative organizations.
“Thus, economic progress can only be achieved through a democratic developmental state ‘hinged on principles of mutual accountability, democratic ownership of national processes, inclusivity and state cohesion,” the report concludes.
