The Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) is a political, economic and cultural organisation bringing together 10 South East Asian countries. The economic success of member states such as Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia demonstrates the viability of the ASEAN business model.

Following the example of these South East Asian Countries, which support a business environment conducive to the development of “champion” companies, Africa is primed ready to emulate this proven model of success. Despite the global slowdown, African economies have continued to grow and are projected to achieve significant growth rates in 2010.
Facts About Africa
• Twenty of the fastest growing economies in the world are in Africa.
• The number of non-democratic governments in Africa has fallen to seven out of 30 in 1990.
• Mean returns from all the five emerging African markets of Botswana, Ghana, Mauritius, Nigeria and South Africa are higher than the returns from the developed markets.
• FDI: Africa attracted US$36bn in FDI in 2006 – twice the level of 2004
• FDI: Africa recorded the strongest growth of all world regions in 2008 with 820 FDI projects – twice the number in 2007
• Mining, agriculture, agro-processing, fish processing, sports, tourism, transport, infrastructure, power and telecommunications offer attractive investment prospects.
• Mobile phone subscribers in Africa grew by 5,000% between 1998 an 2003
• World Bank estimates that remittances to Sub-Saharan Africa accounted for US$19.8bn in 2008 – from US$4.6bn in year 2000.

Objectives of ASEAC Business Forum
• Promote partnership between African and South East Asian companies
• Showcase Africa’s potential as an investment destination
• Develop “champion” African companies though joint ventures with Asian companies
• Stimulate economic exchange between African and South East Asian countries
• Set-up a permanent business exchange framework between African and South East Asian Countries (ASEAC) and build on ‘best practice’ in the region
• Create a fund raising platform, built on the ‘best practices’ of South East Asian development
Programme for the ASEAC Business Forum
• Conference on the presentation of African countries’ general framework
• Presentation of investment opportunities within Africa
• Sectoral thematic workshops
• Focus on individual countries
• Presentation of partnership opportunities within the South East Asian Countries
High Ranking First Class Participants – Africa
• Heads of private organisations
• Heads of public companies to be privatized
• High ranking political leaders
• Heads of regional and development organisations: ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States), WAEMU (West African Economic and Monetary Union), CEMAC (Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa), SADC (Southern African Development Community)

High Ranking First Class Participants
– South East Asian Countries
• Heads of private organisations
• High ranking political leaders
• Heads of financial institutions
• Heads of public development organisations
• Heads of training centers
Opportunities
Registering your company to participate in the Africa and South East Asia Business Forum offers you a unique opportunity to access a business platform in one of the most dynamic regions of the world.

Being a sponsor of the Africa and South East Asia Business Forum means you will be supporting the emergence of future “champions” in the African private sector and helping to promote visibility on the new markets.
Creation of Africa and South East Asia Chamber of Commerce

The business forum will also initiate the Africa and South East Asia Chamber of Commerce. The newly formed partnership between African and South East Asian Companies will provide decision makers with valuable information on investment opportunities.

Programme

Overview of Panels

Panels 1 and 2: General information sessions that provide investors with a broad overview of the African business climate

Panels 3-6: Sector specific sessions that will provide a more in depth view from industry experts regarding particular experience and opportunities in African business. Panel discussions will cover a broad range of issues related to the sector from deal sourcing to financing to production.


Day 1: Monday 5th April 2010

8.00am – 9.00am Registration
9.00am – 9.05am Welcome remarks by Chairmen
9.05am – 9.10am Welcome by Singaporean authorities
9.10am – 9.15am Introduction of the programme
9.15am – 9.25am Remarks by African representatives
9.25am – 9.35am Remarks by South East Asian countries representative
9.40am – 10.40am Panel 1:
Is Africa the last frontier? What opportunities are in the pipeline?

A broad overview of the African investment climate from the public and private perspectives, where high growth sectors and key players are identified. Panelists will also discuss the pipeline of African business opportunities in the context of global investment and why the African continent offers investors some of the greatest opportunities for growth.

Panel members (Interactive session)
Donald Kaberuka, African Development Bank – President
Ibrahim Mayaki, NEPAD (The New Partnership for Africa’s Development) – CEO
Soumaila Cisse, UEMOA (West African Economic and Monetary Union) – President of the Commisssion
Jeanine Mabunda, Democratic Republic of Congo – Minister of Public Portfolio
Arnold Ekpe, Ecobank – CEO
Sipho Mseleku, Association of SADC Chambers of Commerce – CEO

Outputs
Investment climate
High growth sectors
Key players
10.45am – 11.00am Coffee Break
11.15am – 12.15pm Panel 2: Facilitating Business, Mitigating Risk in Africa

A number of recent regulatory reforms across Africa are designed to foster new business activity. In a addition to providing general advice for effectively doing business in Africa, panelists will review the new legal landscape across the continent and risk mitigation strategies.

Panel members (Interactive session)
Christian Adovelande, BIDC (West African Regional Investment Bank – President
Ian Lee, IE Singapore (International Enterprise) – Assistant Director Middle East and Africa
Ng Su Fun, MASSCORP (Malaysian South-South Corporation) – General Manager
A representative of KAHZANAH (Malaysia)
A Malaysian enterprise operating in Africa
A representative of Indonesian public body institution
1 International bank from Asia
Thierry Tanoh, International Finance Corporation – Vice President
McKinsey Asia
Ohada business Law representative

Outputs
The facilitation tools to do business in Africa
Legal framework to secure the business
Risk management
12.30pm – 2.30pm Lunch Break
2.45pm – 3.45pm Panel 3: Doing Business in Africa, Finding Partners, Structuring Deals – Agribusiness and Logistics

Discussion around current and future opportunities in Agribusiness and Logistics. Panelists will share their vision for the industry in Africa along the entire value chain.

Ranveer S. Chaunan, OLAM – Managing Director
Jean-Louis Billon, SIFCA – President
Companies from Rwanda/Kenya/Cameroon
Companies from Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam

Outputs
Finding opportunities in Agribusiness, Logistics and Ports Infrastructure
Sharing experiences
Finding the next African corporate champions in those sectors
4.00pm – 5.00pm Panel 4: Doing Business in Africa, Finding Partners, Structuring Deals – Water, Energy and Telecommunications

Discussion around current and future opportunities in Water, Energy and Telecommunications.

Thierno Bocar Tall, ABREF (African Bio-fuels and Renewable Energy Fund) – Head of Project
Barthelemy Faye, OMVG (Regional Programme) – Head of Project
Petronas (Malaysia) – Speaker to be confirmed
Singtel (Singapore) – Speaker to be confirmed
1 other company from South East Asia operating in Africa
SONANGOL (Angola)
MTN (South Africa)
UEMOA, Head of Regional Energy Programme

Outputs
Finding opportunities in Water, Energy and Telecommunications
Sharing experiences
Finding the next African corporate champions in these sectors
5.00pm – 6.00pm Individual one-to-one meetings
8-00pm Gala Dinner


Day 2: Tuesday 6th April 2010

9.00am – 9.05am Welcome remarks by Chairmen
9.10am – 10.10am Panel 5: Doing Business in Africa, Finding Partners, Structuring Deals – Banking, Finance and Insurance

Discussion around current and future opportunities in banking, finance and insurance

Abdoulaye Daffe, BDM – CEO
Henri-Claude Oyima, BGFI Bank – President
Arnold Ekpe, Ecobank – CEO
Pap Ndiaye, AFIG – CEO
2 Banks from South East Asia operating in Africa

Outputs
Finding opportunities in Banking, Finance and Insurance
Sharing experiences
Finding the next African corporate champions in these sectors
10.10am – 10.30am Coffee Break
10.30am – 11.30am Panel 6: Doing Business in Africa, Finding Partners, Structuring Deals – Infrastructure: Port, Road, Transport, Real Estate

Discussion around current and future opportunities in Infrastructure: Port, Road, Transport, Real Estate

Noel Bendjo, Mayor of Abidjan Plateau (Cote d’lvoire)
Alassane Ba, Shelter Afrique – CEO
Yerim Sow, Teylium – President
Victor Ndiaye, PMC – President
(CEMAC Projects – Central African Countries organisation)
Gabon Investment Promotion Agency
Port of lome (Togo) – CEO
Kenya Airways
Two companies from South East Asia operating in Africa in these sectors

Outputs
Finding opportunities in Port, Road and Real Estate
Sharing experiences
Finding the next African corporate champions in these sectors
11.35am – 12.00pm Presentation of joint Africa-South East Asia Chamber of Commerce and official launch
12.00pm – 12.30pm Closing remarks and end of the forum
1.00pm – 3.00pm Lunch Break
3.00pm – 6.00pm Individual one-to-one meetings

           
For registration, please contact Hadijah Sahid at +65 63348311
or email to registration@fortressintelligence.com.sg
 
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