Economic Planning and Investment Promotion minister Tapiwa Mashakada has said political bickering has stalled the setting up of a National Economic Council (NEC) despite a commitment made by political leaders four years ago.
Bernard Mpofu Chief Business Reporter On September 15 2008, principals to the inclusive government, agreed, among other issues, to calm down political tension and the formation of the NEC, an independent broad consultative body tasked with assisting the government in formulating economic policy as one of the ways of bringing sanity to the economy.
But the think-tank remains in limbo fours years on.
Mashakada yesterday said the formation of the NEC continued to hang in the balance as the country was now geared for the next general elections widely expected to end the coalition administration.
“The setting up of the National Economic Council has been entangled in the paralysis of the Government of National Unity as Zanu PF has apparently stalled the formation of the NEC.
“The NEC was supposed to be broad-based and consultative, which means that bodies such as labour groups, civil societies and employers were to be included,” he said. “Some quarters are not comfortable with that kind of outcome.
“The NEC is in limbo now and we are trying everything possible to make sure it is consummated because that was one of the issues in the GPA (Global Political Agreement) I thought was not controversial and would be implemented without hassles.
“I have been shouting and screaming for this body to be put in place, but to no avail.”
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Article 3 of the GPA – which gave birth to the inclusive government between Zanu PF and the MDC formations – binds the three principals to establish the NEC composed of representatives of three political parties and representatives of the manufacturing, agriculture, mining, tourism, commerce, financial, labour, academia and other relevant sectors.
Last year, Mashakada appealed to GPA negotiators to grant more powers to the proposed think tank.
