Cote d'Ivoire's minister stresses need for reform agenda

Cote d’Ivoire’s Minister of Finance and Economy, Mrs Nial Kaba, says the country needs to ensure swift implementation of its reform agenda in the interest of the economy. Kaba told newsmen in Abidjan that government would continue to provide the enabling environment for the private sector to thrive. “The private sector must play key role in the economic renewal of the country, as a government we are providing the suitable environment. “Also, the government is open to accepting genuine foreign investors who are ready to take advantage of the various opportunities in the country,” she said. The minister said Côte d’Ivoire had great potential to improve its ranking among international economies. She said all stakeholders in the economy should work together in realising the county’s dream of becoming an emerging nation in 2020. “This dream requires the collective input of every stakeholder, we all need to be committed towards its realisation,” Kaba said. The News Agency of Nigeria reports that economic activities in Cote d’Ivoire witnessed a downturn following the post-election crisis that rocked the country. With the return of calm to the country, the Alassane Ouatara-led government had continued to woo investors, reassuring them that the country was safe for investment. Analysts say government needs to remove bottlenecks in company incorporation, access to loans and provide adequate security to boost investor confidence.