Ramesh Basant Roi is Central Bank Governor of the Year for Africa

The Banker magazine, published by the Financial Times Group, has elected Ramesh Basant Roi as the 2017 Central Bank Governor of the Year for Africa. 

The Banker, a monthly international financial affairs publication, elects a central bank governor by region for awards every year. On 7 December 2016, The Banker informed the Bank of Mauritius that Ramesh Basant Roi has been named Central Bank Governor of the Year for Africa. “The decision was the outcome of our discussions here at the magazine and a survey of views of bankers and economists and therefore represents a vote of confidence by the markets in the Bank of Mauritius’ conduct over the past year,” read the correspondence of The Banker to the Mauritian central bank.

The official announcement was made in the January 2017 edition of The Banker. For the 2017 Central Bank Governor of the Year for Africa award, the magazine surveyed some 40 central banks across the African continent. Reacting to the news, governor Basant Roi stated that the award testifies that, in the face of formidable challenges, both external and domestic, the Bank of Mauritius has responsibly conducted its monetary, regulatory and other central banking policies over the last two years. The award is also a clear recognition that the Bank has made important strides in advancing its agenda of institutional improvements. 

“I am indeed very happy to note that the Bank’s resolute commitments and unwavering efforts to build a stable, resilient, clean and forward-looking financial jurisdiction are being viewed with an elevated sense of appreciation in respected quarters of the world”, said the governor.

“The Bank of Mauritius has had two very rough years in steadying the financial sector, in particular, the banking industry. The Bank has proficiently executed its regulatory responsibilities. Trust in the ability of the Bank of Mauritius to effectively conduct monetary management has been restored. Despite strong headwinds, the Bank is soldiering on steadfastly on its charted path of reforms. The exigencies of emerging challenges are far more demanding in terms of technical expertise than ever,” read a stated published on the Bank of Mauritius website. 

“There are ‘ways’ of advancing the jurisdiction’s best interests. We simply need the ‘will’ ,” said Mr Basant Roi. He dedicates this award to members of the Board of Directors of the Bank “without whose enabling support the Bank would not have been in a position” to meet the various central banking challenges. 

“I am delighted to also dedicate this accolade to the staff of the Bank whose devotion and industriousness are so valuable to the achievement of the Bank’s development and policy goals”, said Mr Basant Roi.