With the removal of sanctions, boycotts, disinvestment campaigns and the withdrawal of foreign loan funds from South Africa, the challenge was extended to reintroduce the South African financial markets in the world environment. This reintegration took place at a time when the international markets also changed drastically, and when the trend towards financial globalisation gained momentum.
This experience has proven that Milano Hub can be a key forum for interacting with the market and supporting the development of innovative solutions based on approaches that take due account of the need to balance opportunities and risks. Before announcing the winners, I wish to thank all of you who answered this call for proposals and who took up this shared challenge.