African ministers to attend Africa Singapore Business Forum

Singapore's growing interest in Africa prompted attendance of 8 African ministers and representatives from 17 countries.

Singapore will host its largest African delegation to date at the inaugural Africa Singapore Business Forum (ASBF) next week on 14 to 15 July 2010. Eight African ministers from Angola, Republic of Congo, Gabon, Mauritius, Togo and Tunisia will be present, according to an IE Singapore report.

Organised by International Enterprise (IE) Singapore and Singapore Business Federation (SBF), it will also see attendance from other members of the public and private companies from some 17 African countries, representing a third of the continent. Almost 400 participants from Singapore and abroad are expected to attend.

Minister of State for Trade & Industry and Manpower, Lee Yi Shyan will be present as the Guest of Honour to announce new initiatives targeted to foster understanding and linkages between Singapore and African businessmen.

Also present to deliver a keynote speech will be Dr Mo Ibrahim, a prominent businessman and champion for good governance in Africa. He will share about the importance of good governance in Africa and how that affects companies with operations in Africa.

Dr Mo Ibrahim is the founder of the Mo Ibrahim Foundation which supports good African leadership. The Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in African Leadership is the largest individual prize in the world and recognises and celebrates excellence of good governance. The Ibrahim Index of African Governance provides a comprehensive and quantifiable tool to promote government accountability. Dr Ibrahim was awarded the BNP Paribas Prize for Philanthropy, and also listed by TIME magazine as one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2008.

Ms Obiageli Ezekwesili who is the Vice President of the World Bank and leads World Bank’s Africa operations, will provide an overview of key developments in different markets and assess the African landscape.

IE Singapore and 40 Singapore companies concluded a series of business missions to Africa with encouraging results last year. This inaugural forum is a response to the growing interest among Singapore companies in Africa and will aim to provide a platform for dialogue between Africa and Singapore businessman.