Abidjan, 02 October 2014 (ECA) – “I am particularly impressed by the pertinence of the recommendations of the Economic Report on Africa 2014, which totally reflect the objectives of our reform process, especially given that Côte d’Ivoire is among the 11 African countries used for its case studies,” declared Mr Daniel Kablan Duncan, Prime Minister of that country today in Abidjan. He made the statement during the launch of the Report, jointly published by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and the African Union (AU).
The event that took place at the Chamber of commerce and Industry of Côte d’Ivoire afforded Mr Kablan Duncan the opportunity to reiterate the will of his Government, as directed by President Alassane Ouattara, to push for the country’s emergence by 2020 with a fast track growth plan hinged on agriculture and industrialisation.
“The route to industrialisation is not easy,” he said, concluding that with determination and engagement, his country will achieve the goals it has set forth in this regard, in line with the recommendations of the Report.
Côte d’Ivoire’s Minister of Industry and Mines, Mr Jean-Claude Brou, and the President of the country’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mr Djibo Nicolas, who accompanied the Prime Minster to the event, equally appreciated the Report.
Meanwhile the efforts of the Ivorian Government were praised by the Resident Coordinator of the UN System in that country – Mr Mbaye Babacar Cissé. Among other issues raised in the Report, he underlined the point that it is only possible for Africa to reach its desired levels of industrialisation if it promotes refined and inclusive economic and social policies, while keeping a close watch on the judicious allocation of resources to various sectors of the economy and capitalising on initiatives with high social and environmental impact. Mr. Babacar Cissé, on behalf of the Executive Secretary of ECA, proceeded to officially hand a copy of the Report to the Prime Minister of Côte d'Ivoire.
Attendees of the event also witnessed a detailed presentation of findings of the Report by the Director of ECA’s Sub-regional Office for Central Africa, Mr Emile Ahohe, followed by a rich exchange.
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