Commonwealth Finance Ministers’ Meeting

Note on Media Accreditation

This year's meeting of Commonwealth Finance Ministers will be held in Mauritius, 15-17 September, at the Berjaya Hotel, Le Morne. It will be chaired by the Finance Minister of Mauritius, Dr Vasant Bunwaree.

The Commonwealth meeting is always held just before the annual meetings of the IMF and the World Bank, which this year take place in Hong Kong, and provides Ministers with an opportunity to exchange views on subjects that are likely to be on the Fund/Bank agendas.

The main topics expected to be discussed will be the need to press on with the recent initiative to provide multilateral debt relief for heavily-indebted poor countries; uncertainty over IDA (the World Bank's International Development Association); and progress in implementing the Commonwealth Private Investment Initiative. Ministers will also discuss the challenges of globalisation and special issues related to attracting, sustaining and coping with private capital flows. This issue has taken on a new urgency following the recent volatility in financial markets of East Asia.

The Mauritius meeting will also provide the opportunity to raise issues connected with the theme of this year's Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Edinburgh, Scotland - 'Trade, Investment and Development: the Road to Commonwealth Prosperity'. The special topic of the Finance Ministers' meeting will be the political process of managing economic change. Ministers will discuss a range of Commonwealth experiences in this area and examine the implications of good governance and economic policy.

All journalists wishing to attend the meeting in Mauritius should complete the attached Accreditation Form and return it to the Information and Public Affairs Division, Commonwealth Secretariat, by 1 September.

Hotel accommodation is available at Les Pavillons Hotel within walking distance of the conference venue. Journalists are required to make their own reservations and should contact Mr Danny Thisbe, Reservations Manager, Les Pavillons Hotel Ltd, Le Morne, Mauritius, tel: (230) 698 2727; fax: (230) 698 4222.

COMMONWEALTH FINANCE MINISTERS' MEETING

Mauritius 15-17 September 1997

Please complete and return by 1 September 1997 to:

  Mr Michael Fathers
  Director, Information and Public Affairs Division
  Commonwealth Secretariat
  Marlborough House, Pall Mall
  London SW1Y 5HX
  Britain
  Tel: (0171) 747 6380
  Fax: (0171) 839 9081

Name of applicant: _____________________________________________________

Name and address of
news organisation:   _____________________________________________________

 _____________________________________________________

 _____________________________________________________

 Tel:__________________________Fax:____________________

Applicant's
position/function:  _____________________________________________________

Home address: _____________________________________________________

 _____________________________________________________

 _____________________________________________________

 Tel:__________________________Fax:____________________

Nationality: _____________________________________________________

Expected date of
arrival in Mauritius: _____________________________________________________

Date: __________________________Signature:_______________________________

97/35               1 August 1997