Forum expected to attract millions of dollars in business into the region

Four Presidents and 100 speakers have been confirmed for the forthcoming Commonwealth Business Forum in Kampala Uganda in November 2007. The three-day biennial forum organised by the Commonwealth Business Council will be attended by the Presidents of Uganda, Rwanda, Mozambique and Zambia. Over 15 Heads of State are expected to attend the event which has already raised over 2.5 million dollars.

The Forum will focus on East Africa: the untapped potential and will facilitate investment into the region and the Continent.

Speaking about the Forum, President Museveni said, “Amongst Commonwealth countries there is significant untapped potential. With the active involvement of the private sector in partnership with governments, this potential can be harnessed in a wide range of sectors including information and communications technology, banking and financial services, manufacturing, infrastructure development, energy, tourism, mining, minerals and agriculture.”

Business leaders from across continents including Dr Saad Al- Barrak, Group CEO MTC, Kuwait, Rahul Bajal, Chairman Bajaj Auto, India, Cyril Ramaphosa, Chairman, MTN, South Africa, James Smith, Chairman, Shell, UK, Gary Hoffman, Vice Chairman Barclays Bank, UK will be addressing delegates on issues ranging from enhancing trade and investment to climate change and public-private-partnerships. Exclusive meeting with decision makers and over a hundred one-to-one meetings will lay the foundation for business transactions and ventures.

Host of CBF 2005 Lawrence Gonzi, Malta PM has said, “I believe that the Commonwealth Business Council is ideally placed to take a leading role in delivering on our promises. This Council can help ‘bridge the divide’ through sustained efforts in increasing international trade; by creating new business and employment opportunities, and by promoting good governance and corporate social responsibility. The catalyst for addressing these challenges is the Commonwealth Business Forum; indeed a valid medium bringing together a powerful line-up of movers and innovators.”

Speaking about the Forum, Dr Mohan Kaul, CBC Director General, who is visiting Uganda to oversee the preparations, said, “The private and public sectors in Uganda are collaborating in a joint search for fast-track solutions, under the aegis of the Commonwealth. Objectives include building bilateral trade between Commonwealth countries, especially within Africa - by simplifying banking procedures, reducing the 'digital divide,' and minimising bureaucratic obstacles.”

James Mulwana, Chairman, Private Sector Foundation Uganda, said, “We are expecting a lot of networking and getting contacts for participants and speakers from 53 commonwealth countries during the from the three days. Sectors in Uganda and East Africa that are likely to attract investment where we have competitive advantage are agriculture, tourism, property development, minerals like oil and gas. Considering the little investment, the development of cities in East Africa and the middle-class which is coming up, residential apartments and commercial properties are likely to attract maximum investment.”


Released 9/8/07