Commission states Vision 2063 pillars, enablers

The National Planning Commission (NPC) says agriculture productivity and commercialisation, resource-based industrialisation and urbanisation will form the economic backbone of the Vision 2063.

In an interview on Monday, NPC director general Thomas Chataghalala Munthali said the pillars—which are inter-related and inter-dependent and are key to inclusive wealth creation and self-reliance—have emerged from the consultations the commission has been conducting since March.

He said to ensure success of the development agenda, the economy needs to have a sustained environment, economic infrastructure, human capital development, private sector dynamism, enhanced public sector performance, effective governance systems and mindset change.

Said Munthali: “Vision 2020 was good, but it was all over. It lacked focus. What is emerging now is that Malawians want an inclusive development and wealth reliance nation. So, for this to come into fruition, operationalisation of the development agenda needs to have pillars and enablers.

“We are looking at having tangible mechanisms of making things work. And because we have biting teeth, we will be able to implement the vision and hold each other accountable.”

He said the commission has since received a positive response from politicians, whose partnership is key to the successful implementation of the development agenda.

Munthali said going forward, the commission will be engaging political parties to align their manifestos with the development agenda.

NPC communication specialist Thom Khanje, however, bemoaned low participation of women and youths in the consultation process, which has now entered in its second phase.

He said to ensure women and youth participation, the commission is targeting the groups using various platforms, including radios and social media.

Speaking at the launch of consultations for Vision 2063 in March, President Peter Mutharika said following the launch of the consultations, it was up to Malawians to decide what they wanted their country to be 40 years from now.

He said despite the achievements of Vision 2020, many Malawians still live in poverty while the economy is still weak.

Vision 2063, which succeeds Vision 2020, is expected to be launched in October 2020, all things being equal.

NPC, an independent institution established by an Act of Parliament in 2017, is mandated to formulate the medium and long-term development plans of the country and coordinate their implementation.