Mon, Feb 10, 2025 | Shaaban 11, 1446 | DXB ktweather icon0°C

High-level delegation to attend Africa business forum in Dubai

Top Stories

Dubai Chamber has also announced the official partners and sponsors of the Africa Global Business Forum, which will be the region’s premier event on investing in the African continent.

Published: Wed 17 Sep 2014, 11:02 PM

Updated: Tue 7 Apr 2015, 10:47 PM

  • By
  • Staff Report

The Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry recently announced that five African presidents, three prime ministers, and more than seven ministers have confirmed their presence at the Africa Global Business Forum 2014, or AGBF.

Organised by Dubai Chamber under the patronage of His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the forum will be held on October 1-2.

Dubai Chamber has also announced the official partners and sponsors of the Africa Global Business Forum, which will be the region’s premier event on investing in the African continent. The list includes the Investment Corporation of Dubai (ICD) as a title partner, DP World as a platinum sponsor, Dubai Islamic Bank and Nakheel as gold sponsors, Dubai Investments and Eagle Hills as silver sponsors, while Standard Bank and ECOWAS are official partners. To be held under the theme ‘New Realities – New Connections’, this year’s forum is by invitation only and will bring together an exclusive audience of 500 top government ministers, officials and corporate decision-makers, heads of multinational companies, directors of private banks, wealth management companies and sovereign funds, Emirati and global business leaders and leading officials of investment promotion agencies in Africa.

Local presence at the Africa Global Business Forum 2014 includes Reem Ibrahim Al Hashemi, UAE Minister of State and Managing Director of Dubai Expo 2020; Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansouri, UAE Minister of Economy; Mohammed Ibrahim Al Shaibani, executive director and chief executive officer of the Investment Corporation of Dubai; and Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, chairman of DP World.

Confirmed speakers and delegates include Dr Mulatu Teshome, President of the Federal Republic of Ethiopia; John Dramani Mahama, President of the Republic of Ghana; Macky Sall, President of the Republic of Senegal; Paul Kagame, President of Rwanda; and Armando Guebuza, President of Mozambique. Luc Adolphe Tiao, Prime Minister of Burkina Faso; Amama Mbabazi, Prime Minister of Uganda; and Moussa Mara, Prime Minister of the Republic of Mali, are among other participants.

Hamad Buamim, president and chief executive officer of Dubai Chamber, said that the presence of prominent business leaders and decision-makers from Africa and Dubai will enrich the forum and make it an ideal platform to show African companies how to utilise the emirate’s experience in stimulating economic renaissance, while enhancing the competitiveness of Dubai as a gateway to investing in Africa.

Buamim pointed out that under the directives of Shaikh Mohammed, Dubai has become the main venue for UAE companies seeking to expand in promising African markets, stressing that Dubai Chamber’s plan to open more representative offices throughout Africa is a true reflection of its commitment to raise the competitiveness of the business community in Dubai.

Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem said: “Africa has great potential for growth and efficient infrastructure is key in stimulating that with ports acting as the gateway to world trade. Each country has its own unique set of circumstances and connecting with the hinterland as well as neighbouring countries inland is an important ingredient in future development. Dubai and the UAE will continue to serve as a hub connecting the continent, especially East Africa, to Asia and beyond.”

“Dubai holds in high value its relationships with the nations of Africa, and we at ICD look forward to hosting our esteemed guests at this year’s Global Business Forum,” commented Mohammed Ibrahim Al Shaibani, Director General of Dubai Ruler’s Court and Chief Executive Officer Investment Corporation of Dubai. “This gathering of heads of states, ministers, decision makers, and businessmen from Africa and the rest of the world is a unique opportunity to showcase the strong potential that the African continent holds for investors and investees alike. Our geographical proximity and cultural affinity position us well to bring this great opportunity to the world and to bring the world to Africa,” he added.

Khalid bin Kalban, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Dubai Investments, said: “Africa is an important emerging market and we would like to tap into investments opportunities on offer for bilateral trade. At Dubai Investments, our strategy is focused on expanding our global footprint and Africa is a strategic market in our growth plans. Our association with the Africa Global Business Forum will help us understand, network and discuss prospective joint cooperation across various business
domains.”

— business@khaleejtimes.com



Next Story