Former Finance Minister and People’s Democratic Party (PDP) leader , Tendai Biti has labelled Minister Chinamasa as a clueless chap who has done little to alleviate economic challenges bedeviling the country.
Speaking on the sidelines of the recently signed apposition parties alliance , Biti claimed that Minister of Finance and Economic Planning has run out of ideas in as far as addressing economic shortfalls is concerned.
“In terms of the state of the economy, Minister Chinamasa has failed in absolute terms to come up with long terms solutions to this situation we are in.
“We need holistic solutions not these patchy ones being introduced by the Minister,” said Biti.
He said it is imperative for government to treat the ‘actual disease not symptoms, adding that treating the actual disease is the only way to address the challenges prevailing in the country. He urged responsible authorities to come up with strategies that can sustain the country in the long term rather than putting in place policies that do not last.
Biti said amongst other solutions leadership renewal and Foreign Direct Investment remain key in turning around the country’s economy.
He also urged government to lower interest rates so that people and companies can save and revive the sinking industries. The former Finance Minister said for the country to move forward, there should be macro-economic stability as well as eradicating the culture of spending within government.
“The other disease we face is that government spends what it does not have or more than what it has. That culture should stop.
We also need to rebuild our infrastructure as this is another way of attracting investors. With some of these solutions I’m sure we can go a long way in rebuilding this economy again,” said Biti.
The PDP leader was speaking after witnessing the signing ceremony of a new political coalition by five opposition parties. Dubbed Coalition Of Democrats (CODE), the alliance is set to challenge the Zanu PF government when the country goes for polls in 2018.
However, the coalition is yet to draft an economic blueprint which it says will offer solutions to most of the economic challenges the country is facing.
One of the signatories to the coalition and leader of Mavambo/Kusile/Dawn party, Dr Simba Makoni, said one the blueprint is in places, it will be enough to tackle most pressing economic issues.
