At the end of her March 2-4 visit to Niger, Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) CEO Dana J. Hyde held a press conference at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Niamey to announce a $10-million investment in Niger. The MCC and the GON are working together to develop a five-year program (called a compact) to reduce poverty by addressing the major constraints to economic growth in Niger, which include: water for agriculture and livestock, business regulation, and cross-border trade. Hyde said, “our cooperation is built on common values and a common objective of creating economic opportunities for all. MCC’s investment in Niger works to overcome obstacles to economic growth and reduce poverty.” Other participants in the press conference included Ambassador Eunice Reddick; National Coordinator of the Millennium Challenge Program Coordination Unit, Ari Malla; Minister of Commerce and Promotion of the Private Sector, Alma Oumarou; and Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ibrahim Sani Abani. Niger’s Ambassador to the U.S., Hassana Alidou also attended the press conference.
