APA – Abidjan (Cote d’Ivoire) – The government intends to foster the emergence of national champions in all sectors of the economy and to continue improving the business environment.
“Despite a difficult global context, marked by the negative effects of the Covid-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine, Cote d’Ivoire’s economy is continuing its growth dynamic, with a rate of 6.7 percent in 2022
and a projection of more than 7 percent per year for the period 2023-2025,” Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara said in a message to the nation on the eve of Cote d’Ivoire’s 63rd birthday.
He also noted that inflation had been brought under control thanks to the monetary policy pursued by the ECB and the decisions taken by the government to subsidize petroleum products and cap the prices of several consumer goods.
“The major macroeconomic balances are therefore being maintained, and good governance and the fight against corruption are being strengthened every day, thanks to the actions of the government and the relevant institutions,” he emphasized.
To consolidate the positive outlook for the Ivorian economy and accelerate its structural transformation, President Ouattara announced that Côte d’Ivoire had concluded “a latest-generation economic and financial program with the International Monetary Fund.”
“The reforms identified within this framework, which the government of Prime Minister Patrick Achi is vigorously implementing, give a central place to the private sector and to the introduction of a tax system better adapted to the current structure of our economy,” he went on to say.
“We are determined to see national champions emerge in all sectors of our economy and to continue improving the business environment,” assured the Ivorian President, who plans to build a more competitive economy and launch major infrastructure projects.
In this context, he said, the government recently inaugurated the Abidjan Exhibition Centre, the largest in West Africa, the Yamoussoukro – Tiebissou motorway (Centre) and the Me drinking water plant (South).
The Cocody Bridge will be inaugurated in the next few days, and other structural infrastructure will soon be completed, including the Tiebissou – Bouaké motorway, the Abidjan – San Pédro – Grand-Bereby coastal road, the bridge linking Yopougon to Plateau, the Abidjan bypass motorway, as well as the Boundiali solar power plant and the Gribo Popoli and Singrobo-Ahouaty hydroelectric dams, he announced.
“I am delighted with the progress made to date in terms of road infrastructure, health, social protection, education and training, electricity and drinking water, which are so important for our people,” President Alassane Ouattara declared.
AP/fss/abj/APA