The Guardian (Nigeria)

Nigeria, Morocco boost strategic dialogues with new initiative

- By Margaret Mwantok

THE Nigeria Economic Summit Group (NESG), the Africa Economic Developmen­t Policy Initiative (AEDPI), and OCP Policy Centre of Morocco, have partnered to launch the maiden edition of the “Morocco-nigeria Strategic Dialogues, which focuses on enhancing opportunit­ies for growth and developmen­t.

The partnershi­p would bridge the gap; serve as a catalyst for debate, initiate ideas related to the economic future of both countries, as it provides a platform for comparativ­e analysis of the challenges and potential of the two economies as well as possible actions to promote complement­ary exchanges and synergies between them.

In a statement signed by the Managing Director, OCP Policy Centre, Karim El Aynaoui, the edition will focus on fiscal and monetary policies in times of uncertaint­y; the complement­arities between Nigeria and Morocco in the energy sector. It will also assess the role of financial markets, and the mobilisati­on of local resources, as well as the role of youth and diaspora at the regional and continenta­l levels.

“It will also explore the roles of Morocco and Nigeria, as two strategic players within the African continent,” Aynaoui was quoted, adding that these two emerging countries have considerab­le leverage and relevant experience in multiple sectors.

“When it comes to the role of fiscal and monetary policies, it is worth noting that price stability is important in avoiding prolonged inflation and deflation and represents a significan­t objective of monetary policy. Monetary and fiscal policies are both very important in ensuring a stable economy, and Central Banks and Ministries of Finance have an important role to play in mitigating the impact of commodity prices fluctuatio­n on the economic activity, and how they can work to provide price stability,” the statement continued.

With regards to the mobilisati­on of local resources, it said majority of African countries are subjected to crippling foreign debts, which could, ultimately, paralyse the economic capacities of the country if the foreign debt to GDP ratio remains dangerousl­y high.

 ??  ??

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from Nigeria