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Commonwealth Secretariat press release

Francophone countries to benefit from Commonwealth debt management system

23 May 2002

The unique Commonwealth software used by more than 50 countries to manage their national debt will shortly expand into Francophone countries. The French version of the Commonwealth Secretariat Debt Recording and Management System (CS-DRMS 2000+) was launched today by Commonwealth Secretary-General Don McKinnon and Boutros Boutros-Ghali, Secretary-General of the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie, at Marlborough House in London.

The Commonwealth and La Francophonie, which is funding the translation, will work together to implement the French version of the software in Francophone developing countries. The system aims to improve economic performance by helping countries and organisations to record and manage debt. First developed by the Commonwealth Secretariat in 1985, it is already in use in 43 Commonwealth countries.

Before the launch, Mr McKinnon and Dr Boutros-Ghali met to discuss existing and potential new areas of collaboration between the two organisations. They reviewed current activities in the area of trade, such as a joint bid for EU funding to provide technical assistance in trade to African, Caribbean and Pacific countries. They also exchanged views on how best the Commonwealth and La Francophonie can support the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD).

The Secretaries-General agreed to explore closer collaboration on the promotion of democratic values and practices. They also agreed to look at ways in which the organisations could work together on education and youth employment programmes.

Note to Editors:
A Memorandum of Understanding between the Commonwealth Secretariat and the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie was signed in 1992 and updated in 1999. It covers co-operation in the areas of economic and social development. Seven countries are members of both the Commonwealth and La Francophonie: Cameroon, Canada, Dominica, Mauritius, Seychelles, St Lucia and Vanuatu.
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