The Swedish Government has commended Zimbabwe for the progress made under its economic reform programme and pledged continued cooperation during high-level discussions held with the Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion, Professor Mthuli Ncube, yesterday.
The meeting, attended by a Swedish delegation led by the Ambassador of Sweden to Zimbabwe, His Excellency Per Lindgärde, focused on strengthening economic cooperation, Zimbabwe’s reform agenda and ongoing re-engagement efforts with the international community.
Speaking during the engagement, Ambassador Lindgärde commended Zimbabwe’s reform efforts and reaffirmed Sweden’s commitment to maintaining strong bilateral relations with the country.
“Sweden remains committed to supporting Zimbabwe’s reform and re-engagement process despite the planned closure of its embassy in Harare,” he said
Speaking on the sidelines of the engagement,Professor Ncube said the discussions centred on Zimbabwe’s macroeconomic reform progress, the arrears clearance and debt resolution process, as well as fiscal and monetary reforms being implemented by Government.
“Strengthening economic cooperation, supporting Zimbabwe’s reform agenda and advancing re-engagement efforts were at the centre of discussions during a meeting today with the Swedish delegation accompanied by the Ambassador of Sweden to Zimbabwe, His Excellency Per Lindgärde,” said Professor Ncube.
He said Government remained committed to reforms aimed at restoring macroeconomic stability and rebuilding confidence in the economy.
“The meeting focused on Zimbabwe’s macroeconomic reform progress, arrears clearance and debt resolution strategy, as Government continues implementing fiscal and monetary reforms aimed at restoring economic stability, rebuilding investor confidence and re-engaging with international institutions,” he added.
Professor Ncube said Zimbabwe had already recorded significant milestones since the introduction of the reform agenda.
“We highlighted major milestones achieved since the launch of the reform agenda, including single-digit inflation, fiscal discipline and improvements in public finance management systems,” he added
He added that discussions also covered Zimbabwe’s ongoing Staff Monitored Programme and the roadmap towards debt clearance.
“Discussions also covered Zimbabwe’s ongoing SMP and roadmap towards debt clearance,” said Professor Ncube.
The Finance Minister said successful completion of the arrears clearance and debt resolution process would have far-reaching benefits for the country’s economy.
“The successful completion of the arrears clearance process is expected to unlock broader international financing opportunities, enhance access to private capital markets and support sustainable economic growth,” he said.
Zimbabwe has been pursuing an arrears clearance and debt resolution process under a structured dialogue platform involving international financial institutions, creditors and development partners.
