JK to open African World Business Congress in Arusha

President Jakaya Kikwete is expected to open the Africa World Business Congress (AWBC) to be held in Arusha for four days beginning this Saturday.

The Tanzania Investment Centre (TIC) Managing Director Emmanuel ole Naiko told reporters in Dar es Salaam yesterday that Tanzania won the chance to host the conference after a great competition that involved six African countries.

The theme of the meeting is `The ABC of creating an effective and fully operational African Private Sector`.

The AWBC brings together big business people in Africa where by in cooperation with New Economic Partnership for Africa�s Development (NEPAD), they always conduct such conferences aimed at attracting investors in the host country.

Ole Naiko said that a total of 750 businesspersons from Tanzania and other African countries would attend the meeting.

He said different topics including Why Investing in Tanzania, Trade Policy, Enhancing Private Sector in Africa, Investment Opportunities in Telecommunication, Agriculture, Infrastructure, Mineral and Energy and Youth Empowerment would be discussed.

He called on local businesspersons to come forward and take part in the meeting.
For his part, event organizer Dan Cobaman said on Tuesday that besides President Kikwete, three other African presidents would attend the congress.

He said Madagascan president Ravalomanana had already confirmed his participation.
He said: `We are now waiting for a word from Monrovia and Kampala to be in a position to announce the participation of their Excellencies Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf of Liberia and Yoweri Museveni of Uganda respectively.`

The Prime Minister, Edward Lowassa is expected to close the conference on November 13, 2007.