Tanzania: JK to address Commonwealth Business Forum

President Jakaya Kikwete, will be one of the African Presidents who will address the coming Commonwealth Business Forum (CBF) to be held in Perth Australia, in October this year, the organizers have said.

According to the forum’s programme, among the international business leaders invited is the Executive Chairman of IPP, Reginald Mengi. The Meeting is slated for 25th to 27th October this year.


CBF is co-organised by the Commonwealth Business Council, Australian Government and Government of Western Australia in collaboration with the private sector will be hosted in conjunction with the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) to be held on 28th to 30th October 2011.

It will focus on the theme: Partnering for Global Growth: the Commonwealth, Indian Ocean and the Pacific Rim.

Apart from President Kikwete, other confirmed speakers are Presidents Hifikepunye Pohamba of Namibia, Armando Guebuza, President of Mozambique and Paul Kagame of Rwanda.

Others are Kamla Persad-Bissessar who is the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago and Professor Edward Prescott, 2004 Nobel Prize Winner in Economics and former fellow of the Brookings Institution.

The Forum will also feature a project portfolio of investment proposals that are looking for funding, equity or business partners.

It will also provide an extraordinary opportunity for business and government to network on practices and policies for the enhancement of global trade and investment and allow for comprehensive dialogue with the private sector.

According to the organizers the CB Forum will highlight new global economic partnerships for trade and investment in key sectors across the Commonwealth and beyond.

Organisers say the CBF as a unique gathering of business leaders from developed and emerging markets will focus on building the new economic and financial architecture in the global economy and ensure that it is inclusive and beneficial to all.

The Forum will provide a unique opportunity for business and government to learn from participants including Heads of Government, Ministers of Finance, Trade and Development, Chairmen and Chief Executives of business and other industry leaders.

Some of the topics to be discussed during the meeting include the Commonwealth, Indian Ocean and the Pacific Rim: Building New Partnerships; Unleashing Africa’s Potential: A New Vision, Innovations in Agriculture for Global Trade, Africa: Creating a New Economic Power for the 21st Century

Others are building Infrastructure for the 21st Century and Commonwealth Partnerships for Natural Resources Development, partnering for Global Growth: New Challenges, New Opportunities.

Australia is a committed and active member of the Commonwealth and takes great pride in being the first nation to host CHOGM three times, with Melbourne hosting in 1981, Coolum in 2002 and Perth 2011.

Over 100 eminent speakers and panelists and hundreds of delegates are expected to attend the Commonwealth Business Forum.