CONFERENCE PREVIEW

Welcome to the 3rd G20 Africa Infrastructure Investment Conference. The Corporate Africa G20 Africa Infrastructure Investment Conference during 17 to 19 July 2013 is the third of its kind organised by Times Publications since 2009.

This event will show international experts, ranging from government ministers to Chief Executives of companies, speaking with authority about all aspects of investment needed to build infrastructure in Africa. All of the chosen speakers at the event were selected and invited to represent a cross section of economic development partners from a variety of countries to represent the diversity of the continent and its infrastructure interests and needs.

While focus here is on the general issue of investment to build infrastructure, underlying this forum is the issue of how development brought about through partnerships between investors from G20 and African nations can have a vital impact upon the lives of people living across the continent.

In many parts of the world, the primary infrastructure that is a standard in developed nations is lacking in Africa. The effect that this has on education, health, and employment is detrimental, and has an arresting impact on markets, trade and economic growth. Whether the infrastructure in question is basic water sanitation, highway construction, transport networks, or public utilities, a need so visibly exists, and offers abundant opportunities to investors to enter and exploit for their own benefit, and that of the communities and countries.

The strong and sustained economic growth that has been experienced by most African countries during the last decade is evidence which testify that good and sustainable investments and partnerships between African nations and international investors can make a significant difference – Africa nations are currently the fastest growing economies in the world. Reflecting this, the G20 Infrastructure Investment Conference is a veritable international event, with representation from Africa and G20 nations in attendance. Presentations will be made by key decision makers, including government ministers, CEOs and directors.

The model that the G20 Africa Infrastructure Investment Conference agenda will promote includes an ambitious, farreaching project that is financed by a mix of public and private investment representation, integrally incorporating the regions of Africa, international development agencies and the private sector, as well as the African development Bank, now resident in Tunisia.

Besides the physical implementation of infrastructure projects, focus is also upon regulatory authorities and their endeavors to increase trade and job opportunities by removing barriers to intra-country trade, improving trade links to ports, and reducing bureaucracy and transit times at borders. Only with regional integration and multilateral co-operation are these processes achieved, and only through dialogue can the realization of improved cross-border intra-Africa trade and the critical mass needed to accelerate growth and development be accomplished.

For those in attendance at this conference, creating increased investment in Africa is a common goal, and the seemingly insurmountable obstacles to this aim are feasibly overcome with diligence, commitment and good networking.

Included in this conference brochure are the articles of the key sponsors and a directory of attendants.

Beyond the conference Times Publications aims to strengthen relationships and networks formed during the event by reporting on the growth of infrastructure in Africa, and developments issues that have come about as a result of this 2013 conference. Times Publications is already looking forward to a successful follow-up event in 2015.