Reforms in financial markets were carefully sequenced ensuring that they were in sync with the real sector. The reforms were also important for developing the environment for effective monetary policy making and monetary transmission mechanisms. As in other areas of reform, a gradual approach was followed in respect of development of financial markets.
Notwithstanding our abundant energy resources and our robust energy based industrial platform, the imperatives of economic diversification and the need to provide productive and sustainable employment have led to increased attention to the development of the small- and mediumsized enterprise sector.