A mission from the Fund led by its Managing Director, Madame Minafou Fanta COULIBALY KONE, took part in the meeting of Finance Ministers from the CFA franc zone on Friday, April 13, 2018, at the Kint\u00e9l\u00e9 conference center in Brazzaville, Congo. Present were the Finance Ministers of the 15 member countries, notably those of UEMOA, CEMAC and Comoros.<\/p>\n
The meeting provided an opportunity to take stock of the economic situation in the zone, with a view to accelerating the recovery from the difficult economic situation that some countries have been facing in recent years. Discussions focused on two major themes, namely the continued implementation of economic reforms designed to maintain the momentum of fiscal consolidation efforts, and coordination measures to better combat money laundering and the financing of terrorism. While, as explained by Banque de France Governor Fran\u00e7ois Villeroy de Galhau, the macroeconomic outlook and public policy response are bearing fruit, the meeting also noted that “real convergence is struggling to make headway in the franc zone, testifying to the many obstacles facing regional integration”.<\/p>\n
At the end of the meeting, in their final communiqu\u00e9, the Franc zone Ministers, while recalling “the risks arising from large public deficits and rapid reindebtedness”, took vigorous decisions, notably the adoption of an action plan to combat money laundering and the financing of terrorism.<\/p>\n
On the bangs of the Franc zone meeting, the Fund delegation was granted audience with local authorities, notably Mr. Calixte NGANONGO, Minister of Finance and Budget, and Ms. Ad\u00e9laide MOUGANY, Minister of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises, Crafts and the Informal Sector. Discussions focused on bilateral cooperation, as well as prospects for strengthening the Fund’s operations in the country.<\/p>\n