Mr. Chairman, the theme for this event is ‘The Role of banks in the Integration of the Sub-region’ and let me make a short remark on that theme. Surely, the benefits of economic integration are well documented and governments in the sub-region, especially the WAMZ countries, have committed to achieving this goal.
The banking and financial sector can spur this process by establishing the appropriate linkages with the institutions, markets and enterprises that operate in the sub-region. Intra-regional trade can be facilitated by banks by devising the appropriate payment instruments and mechanisms.