Your Excellency Mr. President of the Republic, Mr. Secretary General of the Indian Ocean Commission, Madam President of the Reunion Region, Ministers and Members of Government, Distinguished guests and all CEO Summit participants,

It is with great joy that I welcome you to this first edition of the CEO Summit.

To share a brief history, and keeping in mind the symbolism of the baobab mentioned earlier, the idea for this summit took root in 2022, as we were barely emerging from the global pandemic. This period was marked by social isolation, where many bonds – familial, professional, and economic – had been broken. We conceived this CEO Summit with this spirit in mind: to unite, to strengthen each other, to bring together what was scattered.

Boldness. This is the word that brings us together today. The boldness to see far ahead. The boldness to build. But also the boldness to question ourselves.

Organizing this summit embodied this very boldness. While some doors closed, others opened thanks to visionary partners who believed in our ambition to rebuild essential connections. Let's be frank: being visionary represents a real challenge in a world where uncertainty reigns, where each day brings its share of trials.

Mr. President, this historic summit is being held under your high patronage. Your presence today sends a powerful message: one of your support and commitment to a dynamic, united private sector that drives an ambitious future. We are aware that it is never easy to make things evolve as quickly as desired. Together, we have so many seeds to sow, so many efforts to deploy. Mr. President, we express our deep gratitude for your trust and especially for your unifying leadership.

A special thanks also to the Secretary General of the Indian Ocean Commission, whose vision of an integrated and prosperous region aligns perfectly with the ambitions of this summit. Thank you for your unifying commitment and the constant energy you inspire.

Madam Huguette Bello, thank you for making the journey and accepting to be the patron of this first edition. Your commitment inspires, your journey impresses, and your presence, accompanied by such a numerous and qualified delegation, gives this summit an exceptional dimension. Thank you for believing in this initiative and supporting it with such generosity.

I particularly want to thank the Madagascar Industries Union, its members and its President, Mr. Tiana Rasamimanana, for building this summit alongside us. Each step presented its challenges, sometimes arduous and testing, but always constructive and in service of a noble cause. Your involvement is a precious light that illustrates the ideal of "building a common edifice" where each stone contributes to building a sustainable and hopeful future.

Our profound gratitude also goes to our sponsors and partners, notably Rio Tinto, Star, Redland, without whom this summit could not have seen the light of day. A special mention to Hazovato, our first supporter. At each step, you believed in this vision, nurtured it and cultivated it so it could flourish, like a gardener watching over a young shoot destined to become a majestic tree. Your contribution is invaluable, and our gratitude is infinite.

Thank you all, leaders, visionaries, executives, for your commitment and your boldness. Let us continue this quest for excellence for our companies, our country, our region, and our generation.

Today, together, let us dare to build a better tomorrow.

I wish you all an excellent CEO Summit!

Tantely

Tiana RASAMIMANANA - Président du SIM

Edgard RAZAFINDRAVAHY - Secrétaire Générale de la COI

Andry RAJOELINA - Président République Madagascar

Huguette BELLO - Présidente du Conseil Régional de la Réunion