It will, therefore, be critical that market-pricing mechanisms be embraced, which are central to ensuring the viability of industry as well as the well-being of consumers.

Although our voting rights have now been restored we need technical assistance and financial assistance.

We are aware of distortions in the market that have arisen from price controls. These controls have contributed to the shortages of basic commodities on the open market, with the same goods resurfacing on the parallel market.

We know this [assistance] will not be automatically restored but this is something we hope to negotiate.