The President of the Republic, Mr Wavel Ramkalawan chaired the first Economic Forum since taking office at State House this afternoon. The President was accompanied by the Vice-President, Mr Ahmed Afif, the Designated Minister, Mr Jean-Francois Ferrari the new Minister for Finance, Economic Planning and Trade, Mr Naadir Nigel Hamid Hassan.

The forum comprised of key representatives, predominantly from the finance sector coming together to discuss and share updates, coordinate actions and measures required amidst the current economic crisis being faced by the country due to the global COVID-19 Pandemic.

The Economic Forum provides a regular platform to address the economic realities and projected recovery paths from the COVID-19 pandemic and coordinate economic actions to be implemented at national level. 

During the meeting, representatives present briefed the Head of State on ongoing implementation of the various initiatives and seized the opportunity to raise any issues or challenges being encountered as well as proposed possible solutions to improve and overcome the challenges ahead in order to move the country forward.

Present for the meeting was, the Secretary of State for the Ministry of Finance, Economic Planning and Trade, Mr Patrick Payet, the Principal Secretary for Finance, Mr Damien Thesée, the Principal Secretary for Economic Planning, Mrs Elizabeth Agathine, the Governor of the Central Bank, Ms. Caroline Abel, the Economic Adviser to the President, Mr Bertrand Belle and the Senior Presidential Attaché, Ms Ginny Elizabeth.