Published by the government of Zimbabwe
Zvamaida Murwira
3 July 2009
Harare — ZIMBABWE will take national ownership in the exercise, development and implementation of all financial aid and policies aimed at reviving its economy, a Cabinet minister said this week.
Addressing ambassadors accredited to Zimbabwe and the donor community on Wednesday, Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office Gordon Moyo said the Aid Co-ordination Policy document adopted by Cabinet three weeks ago placed Government as the leading player in determining allocation of resources.
The Minister held the meeting with diplomats and the donor community to appraise and consult them on the Aid Co-ordination Policy document.
"The Government will take the lead in co-ordinating aid and other developmental resources in consultation with partners.
"We will also ensure that one area is not overfunded at the expense of the other and that is why we are saying we need to harmonise our efforts," said Minister Moyo.
European Commission ambassador to Zimbabwe, Mr Xavier Marchal, and Swedish ambassador to Zimbabwe, Mr Sten Rylander concurred with Minister Moyo and called for the identification of areas where Government needed technical assistance.
Mr Marchal said there was need for flexibility to allow, for example, Finance Minister, Tendai Biti to re-direct resources to other priority areas should the donor community channel funds to an area that already had a budget from the fiscus.
This will ensure that there will be no over-concentration of resources in one area at the expense of others.
In his contribution, Mr Rylander expressed hope that the dialogue that has commenced between the European Union and Zimbabwe would bring normalisation of relations.
Minister Moyo said the Multi-Donor Trust Fund where all funds for Government were being channelled, was a temporary measure while the Government revamped its public funds management system.
"This is a stop-gap measure we have created because most of you, and others in general lack confidence in our public finance management system. We are currently addressing that," said Minister Moyo.
"The World Bank will be handling our funds in trust for the Government of Zimbabwe but it is a temporary measure.
"The consolidated Revenue Fund remains, the Treasury remains as well as all bilateral support but the MDTF shall facilitate scaling up of aid as Zimbabwe moves towards economic recovery."
The MDTF, said Minister Moyo, would be co-chaired by Government and development partners. Government had since nominated Minister Biti to co-chair.
Ministers from the three political parties have been nominated to represent Government to ensure that money finds its way into Government coffers and not to political parties.
These are Local Government, Urban and Rural Development Minister Ignatious Chombo, Finance Minister Biti, Regional Integration and International Cooperation Minister Priscilla Misihairambwi-Mushonga.
Minister Moyo said in sync with the values and norms of the Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness (2005) the Government was committed to managing aid in order to enhance effectiveness with a view of ultimately reduce dependence on donors.
Minister Moyo outlined to the diplomats the thrust of the Aid Co-ordination Policy document and how it functions, pledging to address concerns raised on the need for them and the donor community to engage with the Government at a higher level as well.
The Aid Co-ordination structure comprises of four committees which are the Cabinet Committee on Aid Co-ordination, Aid Technical Committee, Government Development Forum and the Aid Co-ordination Unit.
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