The issue, therefore, is whether or not this triple-deficit problem is temporary (and therefore requiring short-term measures) or permanent (and therefore requiring major macroeconomic adjustment policies). My discussion this afternoon will focus on the effects of the global financial crisis and access to financing in the African context.
I will focus on three important issues: •  Is the international response well tailored to the different requirements of the African countries? •  Is the response commensurate to the challenges faced by the countries? •  What additional measures should be considered by the MDBs to increase access to finance?