Prime Minister of Côte d'Ivoire, Daniel Kablan Duncan, expressed his Government's gratitude in receiving the African Development Bank's Board of Directors as well as Senior Management on February 26 in Abidjan.
"This is a strong signal for Côte d'Ivoire at the time the Bank is preparing to return to its headquarters in Abidjan," Duncan said of the Bank delegation. "But beyond this symbolism, it is an opportunity to reinforce our cooperation."
On behalf of his colleagues, Mohamed Mahroug, the Dean of the Bank's Executive Directors, expressed satisfaction with progress made in Côte d'Ivoire, particularly with respect to security and economic recovery. He said the AfDB hopes to see Côte d'Ivoire regain its sub-regional leadership role.
The AfDB Executive Directors visited the Bank's headquarters under rehabilitation. They also visited the premises meant for offices upon approval of the roadmap for the return to Abidjan by the Board of Governors, who are to meet in May at the Bank's Annual Meetings in Marrakech. The delegation also visited the Bank's estates and property at the Cité BAD, as well as educational infrastructure, including French and American schools.
The visits were marked by presentations followed by fruitful exchanges, which provided the Bank's Executive Directors the opportunity to better understand the progress made both by Côte d'Ivoire and the AfDB. Other meetings are planned for further consultations, with a view to ensuring a greater impact of Bank Group intervention on the ground.
