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Comprehensive economic recovery in Zimbabwe: A discussion document
UNDP
September 2008

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Executive summary

This discussion document contains an economic recovery framework for Zimbabwe, based on analytical work conducted by a team of senior Zimbabwean economists. It provides an overview of the post-independence performance of the economy at both macroeconomic as well as sectoral levels, identifying key constraints to past growth, and breaks these down into financial, legal, institutional and policy variables. This methodological approach is carried forward and applied to the last ten years in order to elucidate those factors underlying the economic regression that has taken place. On this basis a package of remedial actions is put forward, the adoption of which it is believed will trigger a sustainable, pro-poor growth dynamic.

One common thread which runs throughout the document is that of the imperative of restoring macroeconomic stability as a pre-condition for recovery. Specific measures that flow from this include profound changes to current patterns of both monetary and fiscal policy management in order to correct widespread distortions which have acted as impediments to savings, investment and production.

At the same time, with a view to sustaining in the longer-term the recovery that would flow from such stabilization, the team has advanced a package of reforms in areas ranging from trade policy, public enterprises, the financial sector, agriculture, manufacturing, mining, tourism, the informal and SME sectors, and the labour market. These are sequenced, prioritized, and broken down into short and medium to long term actions. Key considerations which have informed the analysis underpinning the proposed package include the need to ensure that growth is broad-based, inclusive and sustainable, and that it addresses longstanding problems rooted in the economic dualism inherited at Independence. Particular attention was based to the need to remove existing impediments to the participation of the poor in growth, and the necessary measures required to ensure this transformation takes place are detailed in the document.

The document also contains proposals on how the country could best manage international assistance if Zimbabwe's traditional development partners, including the Bretton Woods Institutions, were willing to reengage with and support its recovery and longer-term development efforts. In addition, the role of the State in supporting recovery is analysed.

The team advances a set of proposals which it believes are necessary in terms of changes to the various ways the State interacts with the economy and society.

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