Debt management, economic reforms to dominate as IMF Chief, Georgieva, arrives Zambia Sunday

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director, Kristalina Georgieva’s visit to Zambia will be anchored on information exchange on the progress being made under the Funds’ extended credit facility.

Georgieva will visit Zambia from Sunday 22 to Tuesday 24 January, 2023.

She is coming straight from the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

Her visit will also be anchored on the debt restructuring process under the IMF/G-20 Common Framework, and how the Fund could support Zambia’s economic transformation agenda to build a more resilient and inclusive future for all citizens.

This is according to the Finance and National Planning Minister Situmbeko Musokotwane in a statement issued on Saturday in Lusaka.

Read more: IMF Chief’s visit, a sign of growing confidence in Zambia’s economy

“The IMF Managing Director will also engage other stakeholders such as representatives of the private sector, academia, students, civil society organizations and the media.

“This is to appreciate their perspectives on Zambia’s current economic transformation agenda and the reforms that the Government is undertaking to attain macroeconomic stability, promote inclusive growth, create job opportunities for citizens, and ensure that social sector needs are financed in a sustained manner,” Musokotwane said.

Musokotwane, who was in Davos last week, said his delegation left for Zambia with a sence of satisfaction due to the quality of engagements it had at the event.

He stated that the delegation got encouraging responses that it obtained from prospective private sector investors especially in renewable energy and mining sectors.

Once actualised, Musokotwane said, the delegation was optimistic that jobs and growth would be boosted.

“We are glad that we are on course and aligned with global interventions on tackling challenges of the Covid-19 and climate change.

“We return home with a renewed sense of optimism and encouragement for the steps already taken to begin the process of converting our mineral endowments into value-added resources for the manufacture of electric vehicles and other machinery which run on renewable energy,” he said.

During the visit, Georgieva will meet President Hakainde Hichilema.

She will also have consultative meetings with Musokotwane and Governor of the Bank of Zambia, Denny Kalyalya.