Private business investment key to economic success - UNECA official

Abstract

The 5th African World Business Congress (AWBC) is a forum where experts brainstorm on topical issues with the view to coming up with useful recommendations for practical actions. It also provides a platform for doing business. This year the conference was held in conjunction with the 1st IGAD Investment Forum 2009. The Congress opened on 2 March under the theme “Achieving Economic Growth under Global Downturn”. Subjects discussed were: Investment opportunities in IGAD countries; Success Stories of Investments in IGAD countries; Round-table meeting on issues of Trade and Regional Integration; Africa Readiness for the 21st Century Economy; Identifying Effective Infrastructure Projects to facilitate Inter-Regional trade and developing suitable financing mechanisms; Enhancing Africa's Industrial and Manufacturing Competitiveness, Output and Access to markets; African Economic Outlook: Achieving Growth under Global Downturn; and Privatization Program and Investment in the mining and Energy Sector.