The National Economic Council (NEC), will hold a two-day retreat on March 21 and March 22, Vice President’s spokesman, Laolu Akande, said in statement in Abuja on Thursday.

The statement said President Muhammadu Buhari will deliver the keynote address during the formal opening session on Monday while Vice President Yemi Osinbajo will preside over the retreat.

Osinbajo is Chairman of NEC, an advisory body to the President.

It also said governors from the 36 states of the federation, Central Bank Governor and Budget & Planning Minister among other top government functionaries would attend.

It said the objective of the NEC Retreat “is to provide a forum for in-depth discussions by NEC members of the policy actions that the States and the Federal Government can consider.

“This is in order to stimulate local production, cut costs and enhance public revenues among other measures to stimulate the economy.’’

It, however, explained that contrary to suggestions, “the retreat is not an emergency national economic conference.

“The idea was mooted at the last regular NEC meeting in January, where members requested an intensive session to review economic trends and evolve strategies to cope’’, it stated.

(NAN)