IMF: I Coast on track, but could do more
2013-01-09 12:52
Abidjan - Ivory Coast has put its economy on track but could
achieve more if it addressed governance challenges, said the managing director
of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Tuesday.
"I complimented the authorities on the country's strong
economic recovery, which the IMF is supporting through a three-year $615.9m extended credit facility at zero interest rate," said
Christine Lagarde at a press conference in Abidjan, closing a three-day visit
to the West African country.
While she saw a "second economic miracle"
possible, Lagarde said more effort was needed to help low-income women and
ensure political inclusion.
"Women are a real potential ... They have talent, they
are brilliant and determined," she said, adding that the majority of women
in Ivory Coast are yet to see "equal education and employment
opportunities."
Ivory Coast had been hailed for its democratic governance
and economic development for two decades, a course disrupted by post-electoral
violence in 2010-11.
President Alassane Ouattara, however, resumed dialogue with
global financial institutions and Ivory Coast completed an economic-reform
program backed by the IMF and the World Bank.
As a result, the world's top cocoa producing country had $4.4bn
of its debt cancelled last June.
- SAPA
