FORUS VISION
i. Bottom-up economic emancipation and empowerment through bottom-up with aspirations to transform the local economy into an upper middle-income economy.
ii. FORUS Government vision entails achieving per capita income of US$5,500 and sustained growth in nominal Gross Domestic Product (GDP) from the 2021 position.
iii. FORUS Vision and Objectives includes but not limited to improved governance and rule of law, social justice, respect for human and property rights.
FORUS party pays special focus on inclusive socio-economic development programs, political and economic reforms, political and economic re-engagement with the international community, creation of an investor friendly environment, enhanced investment, and an aggressive fight against corruption.
Key Touch Points to Transform Zimbabwe
1. Introduction of Zimbabwe’s ownstable currency structural and policy support and fundamental economic reforms that sustain a mono currency.
Secondary solutions includes but not limited to climate change matrix (cloud seeding, drought resilient genetics, building infrastructure that promotes water conservation and water efficiency) to mitigate persistent droughts, changing energy sources by putting alternative infrastructure like solar farming for local use and exports, wind energy, wave, tidal, geothermal power, sustainable transport like speed rail linking towns, rail to sea transport, replace fossil fuels with renewable energy leading to innovation of solar powered transport to safe and generate foreign currency for the economy and it’s citizens.
FORUS Government is making plans to allow all diasporans to register to vote, participate in the running of the country’s affairs, development of the country and governance since the economy is already pinning its growth prospects on intellectual capital export earnings and diaspora remittances.
2. FORUS ECONOMIC POLICY
The main focus of FORUS economic policy shall include the management of interest rate and money supply, tax and government spending, tariffs, exchange rates, labor market regulations, and many other aspects of government.
The increase in inflation in Zimbabwe brought untold damage to businesses and citizens savings and income. FORUS economic policy addresses price stability, inflation and supply side and consumption economics.
Zimbabwe’s inflation remains very high when compared to SADC annual inflation average (If Zimbabwe is factored out) is less than 10%. A lot of work still needs to be done to reduce inflation to single digit figure below 7% .
Infrastructure Development
FORUS Government focus shall be on investment in the following infrastructure sectors:
i. Energy Sector
ii. Water and Sanitation
iii. Roads and Rail infrastructure including rail to sea infrastructure.
iv. ICT, Innovation and Research infrastructure.
v. Industrial hubs for Minerals beneficiation, value addition for the agricultural produce and capacitating education sector for further research and innovation.
vi. Housing and Social Amenities.
A 2019 report by the African Development Bank (AfDB) pointed out that Zimbabwe needs over US$34 billion in the next 10 years to upgrade its infrastructure to achieve sustainable levels of economic growth.
This means that US$3.4 billion is required in each year (up to 2030) to keep up pace with developments on the continent especially with fast developing peers in the SADC region.
Business Environment, Investment
i. Zimbabwean business environment remains cumbersome, overregulated, bureaucratic and heavily controlled by the government (red-tap, corruptive environment, political interference and based on nepotism).
ii. Key pain points for local and international investors are policy inconsistencies, complex taxation model, taxing foreign exchange regulations, flawed respect for property rights and rule of law (especially on land and mining).
Local investment has been very low in strategic economic sectors such as mining, agriculture, and manufacturing. Foreign investment inflows declined from a record US$745 million in 2018 to less than US$150 million in 2021.
Private investment in agriculture, infrastructure development and manufacturing remain distressed while other key sectors such as healthcare, financial services and real estate receive significantly lower investment when compared to regional peers.
The “Open for Business” campaign is wilting due to lack of tangible reforms on the ground and policy blunders such as the arbitrary closure of the stock exchange in June 2020. FORUS Government shall prioritize engagement with the international community using it’s international goodwill, clean governance reputation, trust and network capital to help lifting of sanctions and unlock Foreign Direct Investment, local investment.
FORUS government shall prioritize simplifying trade and licensing procedures, reviewing the taxation system, implementing a market driven foreign exchange system, finalize the legacy land tenure issue and charter long term economic policies.
Other aspects of priority includes but not limited to transparency in mining through joining the Extractive Industry Transparency Index (EITI) and formalization of artisanal mining to reduce minerals smuggling or under invoicing.
Beneficiation of minerals through technological transfer, innovation must drive the industrialization of the mining sector to create employment and value. Value addition to all our agricultural produce through embracing digital technology shall help to expand our industrial base, promote quality exports, create employment and value for our beloved nation Zimbabwe.
Inequality, Poverty & Living Standards
The number of extremely poor Zimbabweans increased from 4.5 million in December 2017 to 7.9 million in 2020 (50% of the population), according to World Bank data. Urban poverty has also risen to alarming levels.
The major drivers of the increase in poverty are high levels of inflation (loss of income and buying power), COVID-19 induced income losses, recurring droughts, corruption, and unequal access to public services such as power, clean water, housing, and health care. Inequality in Zimbabwe has risen sharply from 45 in 2017 to 50.3 in 2019 as measured by the World Bank Gini Index, with the richest 10% of Zimbabweans consuming 20 times more than the poorest 10%.
In a nutshell, per capita income has dropped underlying a drop in citizens living standards. FORUS Government will transform the scope and operations of government through performance management system and bring commercial efficiency.
This will help it to pay living wages to civil servants or more, increase allocations (not budgeted figures) for basic health & childcare, disability benefits and social grants for the vulnerable (Children, Pensioners, HIV & Chronic Diseases patients, and Pregnant women). Income redistribution tools such as taxation equity, decentralization of public services and devolution are imperative to addressing rising poverty levels.
FORUS SOCIAL POLICY
FORUS Social Policy shall address areas of social wellbeing and welfare, poverty reduction, social security, justice, unemployment insurance, living conditions, human rights, animal rights, pensions, health care, social housing, family policy, social care, child protection, social exclusion, education policy, crime and criminal justice, rural and urban amenities.
a. Aims of FORUS Social Policy
The FORUS social development approach in social policy aims to support social and economic development at the same time, proposing that economic development should be “integrated and sustainable” benefiting all citizens, and that social welfare should be investment-oriented and, hence, enhancing human capacities to fully realize their potential.
FORUS Party has clear plans and action path designed to encourage economic and social development, especially the reduction of poverty.
b. Goals of FORUS Social Policy
The main goal of social policies is to ensure that everyone in society lives in peace and harmony away from conflicts. With social policies, it is aimed to ensure social justice, social development, social balance, social integration, and social peace.
1. Education Policy
a. Why not go back to Government funded free education (compulsory primary and secondary education to all children in Zimbabwe and grants for all college and university students) backed by the national constitution, which will recognize education as a basic human right.
b. FORUS Government is going to make Zimbabwean education relevant to global demands and be a solution to global challenges through infrastructure development which embraces digitalization, research and innovation to feed the industrialization goal of 2025
Commercialization Of State Enterprises Which Are Non-Sweating
FORUS Government shall work out a package to takeover of debts worth over US$1.5 billion by the taxpayer from struggling entities such as Air Zimbabwe, Ziscosteel, National Railways of Zimbabwe and Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe through private partnership with local and international investors.
FORUS Government has a clear path on how it is going to deal with structural economic challenges to restore Free market reforms, to stimulate a private sector led economy; Governance reforms that ensure transparency, equitable resource allocation and prudent economic management; and Institutional reforms to ensure checks and balances to the executive arm of government is implemented and maintained all the time.
Dr Katsvamutima signing out!!
FORUS Kunembo!!
FORUS – Moving Forward!!
FORUS -Qhubekela Phambili!!
FORUS- Handei Mberi!!
FORUS – Patsogolo!!
FORUS – Hambai Mberi!!
Re gatela pele Forus!!
NaAmai tinopinda chete!!
Victory Is Guaranteed,
Victory is Certain naAmai MIM!!
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FORUS The Party of Choice!!