Staff Reporter

Government’s tightened monetary and fiscal policies for the year 2022, has seen the economy conforming to the thrust of the mid-term policy the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1).

Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Monica Mutsvangwa made the remarks yesterday while presenting the NDS1 performance report for the Fourth Quarter of 2022, at the Post Cabinet. Press Briefing

The fiscal year 2022 was punctuated by robust Government interventions characterised by a review of public procurement processes and the maintenance of Banks accommodation rates at 200%.

“The budget deficit thus declined from an NDS1 target of 1.6% to 0.9%, reflecting conformity with the SADC Macro Economic Convergence Criterion of fiscal deficits below 3%, said the Minister”

Before the review, suppliers charged Government exorbitant mark ups that significantly strained its budget allocations to various departments. The rot was exposed resulting in the   cancellation of a myriad of dubious tenders such as the Blinart Investments tender to supply Parliament with laptops at US$9200 apiece.

Meanwhile, the mining sector reportedly grew by 10% with gold production improving to 36 tonnes from 2021’s 31.5 tonnes. The resuscitation of closed mines and the expansion and opening of new ones necessitated the marginal growth of the sector.

Minister Mutsvangwa added that, “construction of Gold Service Centres such as Makaha in Mutoko made significant progress, and the manufacturing sector grew to 66%, surpassing the year’s target of 65%.”

Furthermore, the Minster advised on the Harare-Masvingo-Beitbridge highway, which has now covered a cumulative of 400kilometres, while an additional 19 Airlines have started flying into the country.