Prime Minister Cleopas Dlamini has reiterated the country’s strategy of ensuring that it becomes a private sector-led economy.
The PM disclosed this yesterday at the Hilton Hotel Garden where he officially launched the Country Partnership Framework (CPF).
Dlamini conceded that as Cabinet and the Bank were working on the framework there were a number of intense moments, but stated that he was glad that common ground was found during those intense debates.
“With its focus on supporting our country’s transition from a public sector-driven growth model to a private sector-led approach, emphasizing inclusive, sustainable, and resilient economic growth that is job creating; while also emphasizing Human Capital development, the alignment between the Country Partnership Framework and our NDP is quite seamless,” the PM noted.
The CPF has been compiled by the World Bank Group and seeks to assist Eswatini’s transition to a more private sector-led growth model that promotes inclusive, sustainable, and resilient economic growth.
The framework is fully aligned with the government’s priorities as outlined in the country’s 2023/24- 2027/28 National Development Plan.
The NDP aims to achieve recovery from weak growth and limited poverty reduction through good governance, fiscal discipline, and inclusive private sector growth that provides sustainable livelihoods for all, especially women and the youth.
The World Bank Country Director for Eswatini, Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, Botswana, and South Africa, Marie Francoise Marie Nelly when making her presentation noted that the CPF builds upon a comprehensive set of World Bank Group analytics.
She noted that the CPF revolves around two primary outcomes which comprise increased private-sector employment, and improved human capital development.
“The first outcome focuses on enhancing conditions for private sector competitiveness, promoting the growth of medium, small, and micro enterprises, improving transparency, accountability, and fiscal sustainability, and expanding access to electricity,” the Country Director noted.
She outlined the second outcome and its key focus.
“The second outcome emphasizes improving the quality and retention of basic education, enhancing healthcare quality and coverage, and increasing access to water and sanitation, particularly in disadvantaged regions.”
The Country Director further noted that the CPF places a strong emphasis on addressing the development needs of the poorest regions of Eswatini, namely the Lubombo and Shiselweni regions.