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The statements in this cluster reflect the concern of ECA about thenew turn of events, and the Commission’s efforts, in concert withother bodies, to understand it and help its clients to respond appropriately.In various interventions, the Executive Secretary pointed out the significanceof the crisis, how it would affect growth, trade, investmentflows, trade credits, remittances, and tourism, as well as make it difficultfor national governments to finance their recurrent and investmentprogrammes.But he was also quick to caution Africa not to see the situation asone for panic or despair, but as an opportunity to implement betterand stronger policies. He called for a change in outlook in such areasas domestic policy formulation; in economic and governance institutions;in the pace of regional integration; as well as in the frameworkof international economic, financial and trading arrangements.He cited the need to further diversify African economies and increaseagricultural production, thereby enhancing the resilience of Africaneconomies to enable them deal with future economic shocks.Mr. Janneh stresses in these interventions that the economic andfinancial crisis is a reminder of the need for cooperation and collaborationamong states at various levels of development, particularly inAfrica, and that the continent’s regional integration agenda shouldbe sped up as a basis for competitive markets and diversification ofits production structures.182 Part Four