South Africa to host AfricSEA Business Forum 2012

It will address opportunities for both general and sector-specific investment and inter-regional partnerships as well as valuable networking opportunities through business-to-business meetings.

The forum takes place at a time when South Africa is preparing to host the BRICS conference in March 2013. As such, Khumo Group, Africsearch and A&G Group partnered with the BRICS 2013 team from the Department of International Relations and Cooperation to use this forum as a build-up to the BRICS conference and place Africa as an investment destination. The sectors within both regions that will be targeted include information communication technology, banking, legal, power supply and energy, maritime, agriculture, and infrastructure.

Objectives to be achieved

Specialists and experts that will speak at the forum include key stakeholders from African Development Bank, Deloitte, SA Maritime Authority, BUSA, IDC, Afrexim Bank, Bank of America, Merrill Lynch and four Asian country representatives who have worked in projects ranging from rail, road, electricity and telecommunications.

Organised by Khumo Group and sponsored by Deloitte, SAMSA, GIBS, African Development Bank, IDC, GGDA and BUSA, the forum aims to achieve the following objectives:

• to promote the Southern African region as a potential investment destination;
  
• increase Asian foreign direct investment (FDI) in the region through providing exposure to investment opportunities;
  
• learn from best practices to develop sustainable business models and approaches to country development;
  
• strengthen trade and economic ties between the two regions; and
  
• build business linkages and create a new dynamic partnership between Southern Africa and Asian players.

There are many reasons why strengthening the Africa-Asia economic partnership is important. Southern African economies are experiencing significant growth, offering big market investment opportunities. Both regions have mutually-beneficial regional infrastructure. Increased FDI will benefit local and inter-regional investors through increased confidence, improved investment platforms and increased ease of doing business. Strong ties, improved trade relations and a stronger enabling environment will enable investors to benefit from the common market across the regions.

Fast growing economies

Africa is rich in opportunities and potential and is home to seven out of ten of the world's fastest growing economies. It already has a middle class that is almost as big as the entire population of Russia and Brazil, with over 60% of her population younger than 25 years old. Africa will enjoy an extraordinary demographic dividend as their energy and talents drive economic growth and development. Many African countries have created an enabling investment environment and countries such as China, India, Singapore and Malaysia have since become the first source of FDI in Africa.

The forum will provide an unprecedented opportunity for business leaders from both regions to gain exposure to opportunities and potential partners. Attendees will be able to develop an understanding of key dynamics influencing investment and partnership decisions. To register for this ground-breaking business forum or for more information, visit www.africseaforum.com.