Ministry of Finance

On 20 November 2008, Government launched Sector Working Groups (SWGs). It is a pleasure and an honour for me to present these guidelines aimed at institutionalising SWGs as a means of implementing the Development Assistance Strategy (DAS), and attaining the results of the Malawi Growth and Development Strategy (MGDS). SWGs will be expected to provide a forum for negotiation, policy dialogue, and agreement of plans and undertakings among Government and its development partners at sectoral level.

The Economic and Fiscal Policy Statement (EFPS) is issued in fulfilment of section 14 of the Public Finance Management Act (2003). The EFPS seeks to inform and share with various stakeholders economic and fiscal policies that will anchor the economy over the short to medium term. The EFPS also specifies broad strategic priorities by which Government will be guided in preparing budget estimates for the impending fiscal year. This statement contextualizes Government’s commitment towards achieving social and economic goals within a sound fiscal and budgetary framework as encapsulated in the Malawi Growth and Development Strategy (MDGS). This necessitates the strengthening of fiscal and monetary policies as key instruments for achieving macroeconomic stability complemented by prudent public expenditure management.