During 2014, inflation tended to remain above the upper limit of the variability interval around the permanent target of 3 percent. Major factors for these pressures came from tax hikes implemented since the beginning of the year, and certain agricultural price increases.
At the outset of the joint seminar, I'm also pleased to welcome Mr. Paul Evans, the Executive Director of the Serious Organized Crimes Agency (SOCA) and the accompanying delegation, and also Mr. Robert Dean, the Deputy Head of the Diplomatic Mission of the UK in Abu Dhabi, for their participation at this meeting, and for their appreciated coordination regarding the issues which would be discussed today.