5 March 2009
Forum on investing in East African Countries
To be held at Guildhall, City of London Tuesday 10 and
Wednesday 11 March
On Tuesday 10 March senior political leaders from the countries
of the East Africa Community (EAC) will attend a forum in the City
of London to discuss the investment climate and investment
opportunities in East African countries.
The conditions for investing in Africa, and in particular East
Africa, are undergoing a fundamental change and the forum will give
delegates the opportunity to learn more about these changes. New
governments under a new generation of leaders recognise how
international companies can help them achieve their development
goals and are putting in place policies to encourage companies to
do business. But poor perceptions (and misperceptions) continue to
deter some companies from pursuing opportunities. The forum will
attempt to tackle some of these perceptions and misperceptions.
The event will be divided into two segments:
The first segment will take place on the afternoon of Tuesday 10
March and involve a panel discussion between senior political
leaders from the EAC member states. The Presidents of Rwanda,
Uganda and Kenya are expected to attend together with the President
of Zanzibar (representing Tanzania) and the First Vice President of
Burundi. The Secretary General of the EAC is also expected to
attend. This segment will be chaired by Sir Michael Snyder of the
City of London Corporation.
The second segment will take place all day on Wednesday 11 March
and involve a number of sectorally based discussions looking at
specific investment opportunities in East Africa. The sectors to be
covered are: financial and related services sector; the ICT sector;
Agro-processing and manufacturing sector; energy and
infrastructure; and the tourism sector.
Ends
If you would like to attend please contact: David Flint,
cityinternational@cityoflondon.gov.uk or
Tel 020 7332 3115
If you would like more media information please contact Fiona
Milligan,
fiona.milligan@cityoflondon.gov.uk or
Tel 020 7332 3451
Notes to editors:
The City of London Corporation:
The City of London Corporation, which provides local government
services for the Square Mile, the financial and commercial heart of
Britain, works nationally and internationally to maintain and
enhance the City as a world-leading international financial and
business centre. Its other special responsibilities and services to
London and the wider UK include the Barbican Arts Centre, the
Central Criminal Court at the Old Bailey, 10,000 acres of open
space including Hampstead Heath and Epping Forest, three wholesale
food markets, two inner-London City Academies, the City Bridge
Trust, economic regeneration programmes in neighbouring boroughs
and acting as London’s Port Health Authority. The Lord Mayor of the
City of London (currently Ian Luder, an eminent tax accountant)
works extensively at home and abroad to promote the City.