Mr Speaker, we concluded this report yesterday and we all approved it. We shall debate the budget framework next week.
The renewal emphasis in the National Development Plan is yet again welcomed, and only time will tell whether we have done enough to keep the credit rating agencies away from our door. All eyes will now be on the implementation that has been pledged.
Zambia, with a growth rate of 7%, has just been downgraded. We are still borrowing to fund social grants and to pay a huge state wage bill, and more than a third of our debt is held by foreigners. So it is important to remain focused. Cope will support the Minister of Finance, so that he remains focused and takes care of our economy.