It is even more impressive that in times of very difficult and uncertain economic conditions, both globally and locally, many firms are performing so well. You and your firms are a significant reason why we can proudly say that while our economy faces many challenges, it is also highly resilient. We are here today to recognise these firms and their achievements.
The economic environment is a difficult one. The world is in its sixth year of crisis: a crisis that has repeatedly mutated, shifting its epicentre from a sub-prime crisis to systemic banking crisis; a liquidity, fiscal deficit and sovereign debt crisis. Measures taken to address each of these elements have had unintended consequences.