OKONJO-IWEALA
PRUDENT FISCAL and monetary policies are the centerpiece of Nigeria's economic reform programme, says Nigeria's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.
The former Finance Minister was comparing the economic challenges facing Jamaica with those facing Nigeria at a Scotiabank-sponsored lecture at the Jamaica Pegasus hotel, New Kingston, yesterday.
A critical element in Nigeria's economic reform programme involves fighting corruption, increasing transparency in government business and reforming the public service, she said.
No success could be claimed for reform unless anti-corruption measures are a strong element of the reform programme, she said. With Nigeria ranked as one of the most corrupt countries in the world, she said leadership and commitment from the president of the country were essential in this fight.
She said in the critical area of access to credit for small and medium sized enterprises, World Bank data suggest that Nigeria and Jamaica
have similar problems.
