Finance Minister Margaret Mwanakatwe has emphasized that the relationship between Zambia and the International Monetary (IMF) remains intact and healthy.

The Finance Minister’s comment comes after IMF Resident Representative to Zambia Dr. Alfredo Baldini has been recalled back by the fund.

Mrs. Mwanakatwe says the IMF Resident Office in Zambia will remain operational beyond the tour of duty of Dr. Baldini, who has been recalled by the IMF in Washington for redeployment.

She says his departure at the end of the month of August 2018, does not entail the closure of the Resident Office.

Mrs. Mwanakatwe has clarified that the Fund has communicated to the Ministry that a new IMF Resident Representative will be sent to Zambia for duty.

She adds that government feels duty bound to restate that the country is a shareholder and, therefore, a member of the IMF.

“To this extent, an IMF Staff Mission will be coming in the third quarter for ARTICLE 4 Consultations”, the minister said in a statement.

The Finance Minister has also stated that besides this, the Government of Zambia is taking measures to strengthen the implementation of the Medium Term Debt Management Strategy.

Mrs. Mwanakatwe adds that the prior actions required to facilitate the recommencement of discussions for an IMF Supported Programme are duly being attended as the government simultaneously continues with Zambia’s initiated austerity, stabilisation, and growth measures.