By SILUMESI MALUMO
WE expect Government to be serious in engaging the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to address the dwindling economy, Liuwa Member of Parliament Situmbeko Musokotwane has said.
Dr Musokotwane, who is former Minister of Finance said the country’s economy was in a dire situation which needed serious interventions. He said Government should not take a weak step in engaging the IMF because Zambia’s economy needed aid. Dr Musokotwane told Parliament yesterday that the situation in the country was not pleasing hence the need for the government to aggressively engage the IMF so that Zambia can get the package.
He said if Government manage to get the IMF package as soon as possible then there would be positive change in the economy.
“I am happy the government has accepted the need to engage the International Monetary Fund because this is the only way the economy that has continued to be weak can come back to its feet.
Dr Musokotwane said Government should stand firm when engaging the IMF so that the process does not take long.
Meanwhile, Nkeyema Member of Parliament Kapelwa Mbangweta indicated that if those who previously engaged the IMF were serious the country would have a struck a deal a long time ago.
He said since 2016 the government had been talking about the engagement with the IMF but nothing tangible had come out.
Govt must be serious on engaging IMF – Musokotwane
