INTRODUCTION

1. The year 2023 marks the mid-point in the implementation of the transformative and inclusive development agenda under the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1), allowing the Nation to assess progress made to date and recognise successes, identify challenges and plug any gaps encountered.

2. Such a review is necessary to recalibrate policy actions in order to respond to recent global and domestic developments in our endeavour to sustain and accelerate the economic transformation process already underway. Government policies should, after all, respond to the emerging difficult socioeconomic conditions citizens have had to endure every day, such as high prices of goods and services, an inefficient public transport system and limited formal employment opportunities for the youths, among other issues.