The President of Mozambique, Armando Guebuza, will be one of the key speakers at the Africa Global Business Forum, being held in Dubai on 1st and 2ndOctober, the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry, DCCI, has announced.
The Mozambique News Agency, AIM, reports, in a story by its correspondent, John Hughes, that President Guebuza will speak to an audience of five hundred senior government officials and business figures on the theme of “leading the continent towards change”.
Four other African presidents, three prime ministers and more than seven ministers will attend the event.
Among those who have confirmed their participation are Ethiopian President Mulatu Teshome, Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama, Senegalese President Macky Sall, and Rwandan President Paul Kagame. The Prime Ministers of Burkina Faso, Uganda, and Malawi are also due to contribute.
Other notable African figures attending the meeting are former Botswanan President Festus Mogae and Nigerian businessman Aliko Dangote.
AIM quoted the head of the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Hamad Buamim, as saying “the presence of prominent business leaders and decision-makers from Africa and Dubai will enrich the forum and make it an ideal platform to show African companies how to utilise the emirate’s experience in stimulating economic renaissance while enhancing the competitiveness of Dubai as a gateway to investing in Africa”.
Mohammed Al Shaibani of the Investment Corporation of Dubai pointed out, “this gathering of heads of states, ministers, decision makers, and businessmen from Africa and the rest of the world is a unique opportunity to showcase the strong potential that the African continent holds for investors and investees alike. Our geographical proximity and cultural affinity position us well to bring this great opportunity to the world and to bring the world to Africa”, AIM added.
The United Arab Emirates is one of the main investors in Mozambique’s growing economy. According to statistics from Mozambique’s Investment Promotion Centre (CPI), it was the largest investor in 2012, with 20 projects approved with a total value of 309.14 million US dollars.
Much of the investment from the UAE was for the construction of the new railway from the Moatize coal basin, in Tete province, through southern Malawi, to the new coal terminal at Nacala-a-Velha, on the other side of the bay from the existing port of Nacala.
The railway is owned by the Brazilian mining company, Vale. However, 196.5 million US dollars of the investment came from the UAE, which is the main financial centre of the Arab world.
In 2013, UAE investment dropped to 53 million US dollars, putting it in sixth place for international investors in Mozambique. It is mainly involved in the housing, tourism and agriculture sectors. In addition, the container terminal at Maputo Port is run by the Dubai based company DP World.
This will be one of the last official engagements for President Guebuza before Mozambique holds presidential elections on 15 October. Following the elections President Guebuza will stand down, having served two terms in office.
Source : WAM News Agency for United Arab Emirates
