*  *  *  Mr. Serwalo Tumelo, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, Botswana and Chairman of the Task Force of Senior Officials; Permanent Secretaries here present; Dr. Eliawony Kisanga, Executive Secretary, ESAAMLG; Representatives of Co-operating Nations and Organisations; Members of the ESAAMLG Taskforce of Senior Officials; Distinguished Guests; Ladies and Gentlemen: It is my joy and pleasure to be here this evening on the occasion of the official opening of the 16th ESAAMLG Taskforce of Senior Officials Meeting.
I must start by extending a very warm welcome to all the delegates here present. It is indeed an honour for Kenya to be hosting this important meeting. We appreciate the hosting of the ESAAMLG Meeting in Kenya even after the period of turbulence that we underwent at the beginning of the year.