Ministry of Finance and Development Planning is conducting consultations to develop comprehensive country diagnostics for two days in Mokhotlong.The aim of this workshop is to identify the key challenges the district and country faces,as well as to identify opportunities that could change livelihoods.

The exercise is carried out through the engagement of stakeholders to inform theformulation of national policies, plans, and strategies.The Department of Planning Officer Mr. Motebang Mokitimi gave a brief overview of the formation and implementation of Vision 2020, stating that it would help the stakeholders understand what is required of them.He mentioned that Vision 2020 was established in 2000 but was officially approved in 2003, adding that it should have conlluded hence an exercise to inform the next strategy.

He further provided an overview of Vision 2020, highlighting its successes, which include social progress, institutional reforms, and economic diversification. In that overview report, Mr. Mokitimi stated that there are still challenges that Vision 2020 did not address from a financial perspective, including high unemployment among youth, slow economic growth and environmental degradation.

Stakeholders were grouped to discuss the challenges that the district faces, and the expectation is that these will be combined with some from other districts; then, feedback will be provided on a way forward.