The work of the first meeting of the Lawyers Club of the Caisses de dépôt et consignations (CDC) international forum was held in Cotonou from November 5 to 6, 2024. This forum is a platform for exchanges on Caisses issues and challenges. of Deposits and consignments. Maryse Lokossou, Director General of CDC Benin and representative of the Minister of Economy and Finance launched the work next Tuesday at Novotel in Cotonou.
Belmondo ATIKPO
At the end of two days of reflection, legal professionals from several countries proposed solutions for the proper functioning and efficiency of deposit and consignment funds. Launching the activities of this international meeting, the Director General of the Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations du Bénin (CDC Bénin) expressed all his pride in the organization of the forum in Benin. In her speech, Maryse Lokossou emphasized that this forum will open perspectives for the desired model of Caisses de dépôt et de consignations; and strengthening integration within the Lawyers’ Club of the international forum of consignments Caisses de dépôt et. “This meeting will also open opportunities for you to benefit from the experiences of the various departments of the Caisses de dépôt and to share monitoring and evaluation methods of the respective CDC activities,” said the Directorate General of CDC Benin. Likewise, the general secretary of the Caisses de Dépôts forum praised the Beninese authorities for the warm welcome they gave them during their stay in the hospitable country of Benin.
During his speech, the SG of the CDC forum expressed that the law made at the service of socio-economic development makes perfect sense. For him, the Caisses de Dépôts are real instruments of development that serve national economies, territories and social progress. Their promotion at the United Nations will highlight their active role in the development and diversification of national financial markets by investing in a diverse range of assets and by facilitating access to finance for businesses and infrastructure projects. The Forum’s mission is to highlight and disseminate the Caisses de Dépôts model by promoting their role in mobilizing savings, their ability to support public policies and their role as a catalyst for long-term, productive investments. Savings are one of the main drivers of economic growth. It provides countries with sustainable internal resources that, when used in a long-term perspective, create the conditions for sustainable and inclusive growth.
At the launch of the work, the representative of the Minister of Economy and Finance emphasized the opportunities that Benin will benefit from this international meeting. According to him, “the themes chosen during these three days of discussion are crucial in the current economic landscape. It is clear that today’s deposit funds play a vital role in supporting infrastructure development and large-scale projects. This forum will allow the CDC to optimize the funding and implementation of strategic projects.” N’dah Tchanni, who represents the Minister of Justice, considered that the Minister of Justice values the foundations that will allow the CDC to navigate in accordance with the law to strengthen itself in a better way.
Forum themes
The work of the first meeting of the Lawyers’ Club of the international deposit and consignment fund forum was based on several communication panels. Participants were informed about the following themes: governance in organisations; human rights; relations and working conditions; global warming; project financing; Artificial Intelligence; community participation in development; consumption. As a reminder, the Caisses des Dépôts forum is a Crucible that brings together thirteen (13) member Caisses des Dépôts (France, Belgium, Italy, Morocco, Senegal, Gabon, Tunisia, Mauritania, Niger, Ivory Coast, Benin, Cameroon and Brazil ) from June 2024 and whose mission is “a Caisses de Dépôts model highlighting and disseminating it through its role in stimulating savings, promoting its ability to support public policies and its role as a catalyst for long-term, sustainable and productive investment.
A brief overview of the Benin CDC
Created in 2018, the Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations du Bénin is a public establishment with legal personality and financial autonomy. It is the ultimate tool for the structural transformation of the economy, an instrument for the secure management of national savings, which serves the general interest and the economic and social development of the country, to support public policies launched by the State and local authorities . Receives and manages administrative and judicial documents as well as depositions from organizations required or requested to do so. . The central Parties in the mobilization of savings, the Caisses de Dépôt, are public financial institutions responsible for securing, preserving and managing certain savings, entrusted to them by law or by mandate, and leading and guiding them towards long-term investments, direct or indirect, value creators. It is to promote this model and improve its potential, especially with other financial parties, that it joined the Forum des Caisses de Dépôt created in 2011.
Time.news Editor: Welcome to this edition of the Time.news interview series! Today, we have the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Belmondo Atikpo, an expert in financial institutions and sustainable development, who was a key participant in the recent international forum for the Lawyers Club of the Caisses de dépôt et consignations, held in Cotonou, Benin. Dr. Atikpo, thank you for joining us!
Dr. Belmondo Atikpo: Thank you for having me! It’s a pleasure to be here.
Time.news Editor: The forum that took place from November 5 to 6, 2024, aimed to address various challenges faced by deposit and consignment funds. Can you tell us about the significance of this kind of forum for legal professionals and economic development?
Dr. Atikpo: Absolutely! The forum serves as a crucial platform for legal professionals to exchange ideas and best practices regarding the governance and effectiveness of deposit funds. These funds play a pivotal role in supporting national economies and promoting social progress. By discussing governance, regulations, and collaborative frameworks, we can enhance the operational efficiency of these institutions, ultimately contributing to long-term socio-economic stability.
Time.news Editor: During the opening remarks, Maryse Lokossou highlighted the importance of integrating experiences and practices among various CDC entities. Why is this integration so vital in the current economic landscape?
Dr. Atikpo: Integration among different Caisses de dépôt is essential because it allows for the sharing of knowledge and resources. Each institution may have unique insights or successful strategies that could be beneficial to others. In today’s interconnected world, leveraging these collective experiences—not only enhances individual organizations but also strengthens the entire network of deposit funds. This can promote more coordinated responses to economic challenges, optimize funding for strategic projects, and ultimately lead to more impactful investments in infrastructure and development.
Time.news Editor: The forum also delved into critical themes such as governance, human rights, and the role of Artificial Intelligence in project financing. How do you see these themes intersecting with the work of deposit and consignment funds?
Dr. Atikpo: These themes are vital as they represent the broader social context within which deposit funds operate. For instance, good governance is non-negotiable for public trust in these financial institutions, while a focus on human rights ensures that social considerations are integrated into financial models. Similarly, leveraging Artificial Intelligence can optimize project financing processes, providing data-driven insights that make funding more efficient and targeted. In short, addressing these issues ensures that deposit funds do not merely function effectively but do so in a way that is equitable and socially responsible.
Time.news Editor: The representative from the Minister of Economy and Finance emphasized that the discussions at the forum are crucial for infrastructure development. What specific opportunities do you think Benin and similar countries can leverage from this meeting?
Dr. Atikpo: Benin, like many developing nations, stands to gain significantly from such discussions. The focus on optimizing funding for large-scale infrastructure projects can directly enhance economic growth and quality of life. By addressing the regulatory environment and increasing stakeholder collaboration, countries like Benin can attract domestic and international investments. This will not only bolster public projects but also stimulate private sector participation, creating a more vibrant economic ecosystem.
Time.news Editor: with the mention of the United Nations and the promotion of the Caisses de Dépôts model, what message should we take away regarding the global role of these institutions?
Dr. Atikpo: The global role of Caisses de Dépôts is critical as we seek sustainable development goals. Promoting these institutions at the United Nations underlines their capacity to mobilize savings and spark long-term investments. As catalysts for development, they can help diversify national financial markets and ensure that public policies are supported by adequate funding mechanisms. The message is clear: if harnessed effectively, Caisses de Dépôts can be instrumental in driving sustainable and inclusive economic growth worldwide.
Time.news Editor: Thank you, Dr. Atikpo, for sharing these invaluable insights! It sounds like the recent forum brought together some powerful ideas that could pave the way for more effective financial institutions moving forward.
Dr. Atikpo: Thank you! It’s been a pleasure discussing these important topics with you.
