• Government must continue implementing a clear business case for the private sector to flourish.
• Success of the ERP anchors on some of the achievements of the 7NDP.
• ERP must take into account challenges in the country’s public health and socio-economic sectors.

Policy Monitoring and Research Centre (PMRC) says the private sector is an important partner in the implementation of the Economic Recovery Plan (ERP) as it is a driver of economic growth.
Organization Executive Director Bernadette told Money FM News in a statement that the success of the ERP anchors on some of the achievements of the Seventh National Development Plan (7NDP) by ensuring it leverages the integrated Multisectoral development approach and soliciting support from the business community, cooperating partners, civil society and other stakeholders.
Ms. Zulu said the economy is poised for revival through the successful implementation of the set out strategic focus areas coupled with fiscal discipline and incorporating lessons learnt from the implementation of the 7NDP.
She noted that this will in turn provide a favorable development environment for setting strategic priorities for the successful implementation of the Eighth National Development Plan (8NDP).
Mrs. Zulu explained that there will be need for the country to follow the set out strategic policy areas and options enshrined in the ERP to realize macroeconomic stability, attain fiscal and debt sustainability, restore growth, dismantle domestic arrears and safeguard social sector spending.
“Zambia has developed an ambitious Economic Recovery Plan (ERP) to provide a clear roadmap of strategic policy actions and enablers to revive the economy and put it back on a sustainable development path.”
“The ERP has set out a broad strategic intent, and areas of focus to be implemented for the period 2020-2023 that includes restoration of micro-economic stability, attainment of fiscal and debt sustainability, restoring growth and dismantling arrears while ensuring sustainable spending in the social sector amidst the impacts of COVID-19 and climate change,” Mrs. Zulu said.
She urged Government to continue implementing a clear business case for the private sector to flourish, thereby fostering job creation and economic growth.
“In its implementation, the ERP must take into account the profound challenges in the country’s public health and socio-economic sectors by setting out policy options and programs that respond to the current and future needs of the country.”
Meanwhile, Ms. Zulu commended the Patriotic Front (PF) for aligning its new party manifesto to the ERP’s strategic focus areas of development.
“The manifesto outlines the PF Government commitment towards rebuilding the economic potential of our country which has largely been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic,” she noted.