South African Investment Forum highlights ethical investment in Africa
Taking place in Johannesburg South Africa on 19 June 2014, the first in a series of policy forums to be staged across Africa will highlight the importance of committed partnerships for ethical investment in sustainable projects in South Africa.
Online, June 18, 2014 (Newswire.com) - The SAIF takes place 20 years after the ANC was first swept to power following Nelson Mandela’s release from prison, and just weeks after South Africa’s electorate reinstated President Jacob Zuma and his ANC party with a resounding majority.
In the same week that Zuma’s new cabinet embarks on taking forward it’s National Development Plan aimed at eliminating poverty and reducing inequality by 2030, speakers at the SAIF will argue that success requires good corporate governance linked to the empowerment of stakeholder communities.
The Turkish private sector places great value on developing bilateral relations with African countries and investing accordingly. In this context, the South Africa Investment Forum is an excellent medium which brings us together with all other parties to share knowledge on investing in South Africa. As the Foreign Economic Relations Board (DEIK), a private sector institution of Turkey, we believe that this imposing organisation is going to open new doors for businessmen and support existing economic relations.
Tamer Taskin, Coordinating Chairman, Turkish-African Business Councils of DEIK
Conference Convenor Khalid Wasi will introduce the SAIF as both a policy forum and an agency working with ethically oriented governments to encourage investment in sustainable projects. A case will be made for talent and skills from developed and developing regions to be fostered and managed to create win-win contracts between investors and stakeholders across all of society.
Speakers will include Peter Metcalfe, Chairman of the Foundation for the Development of Africa, a non-profit company “initiating and facilitating business and other processes conducive to sustainable development”.
The potential for investment of the BRICS nations Brazil, Russia, India, China and its most recent member South Africa will be assessed by representatives from the BRICS Business Council, the South African Ministry of International Relations, and CEO of the Human Sciences Research Council Prof. Olive Shisana, who is also the South African Chairman of the BRICS think-tank.
Representatives from pump manufacturer Kirloskar Brothers, one of India’s largest corporations, will provide details of its substantial activities in South Africa.
Alexander Tilhomirov of Vnesheconombank, will offer insight into the Russian Development Bank’s commitment to investing in Africa to help diversify Russia’s economy and boost its competitiveness.
The role of Islamic finance is being promoted by contributors expounding the need for more innovative financial practices, including debt free equity capital. Pax Global Capital will introduce ethical finance mechanisms for kick starting new infrastructure projects and encouraging investment in SMEs to combat unemployment. SAIF organisers show commitment to these universal principles by engaging the services of South African SMEs for the event.
A cross section of corporations will share their experiences in advancing ethical values in investment, growth and development.
Tamer Taskin, Coordinating Chairman of the Turkish private sector institute, Foreign Economic Relations Board of Turkey (DEİK), will look at the dynamics of growing Turkish interest and investment across Africa.
Turkish Airlines General Manager in South Africa, Muhammed Mehdi Tunc, will reveal the role of one of the world’s fastest growing airlines in connecting people and businesses between Asia, Europe and Africa.
Defy Appliances General Manager, Hakan Kozan, will highlight the significance of manufacturing in Africa.
Portuguese multi-national Mota-Engil, one of Africa’s largest investors, will present the ethical dimensions to a diverse array of sustainable infrastructure development projects made through Foreign Direct Investment.
Contending that smart cities hold the keys to sustainable economic growth and a prosperous future, IBM executive member, Ahmed Simjee, will paint a picture of how smarter cities of the future might operate.
The new South African government will be represented by the Ministry of Energy, which will elaborate on its pledge to seek renewable energy sources in satisfying the demands of the country’s growing population.
South Africa’s Department of Trade and Industry and its Ministry of Tourism will present opportunities for Direct Foreign Investment which necessitate more openness towards international partnerships.
Madelein Mkunu, President of Leading Women of Africa, a pan-African forum for women’s economic empowerment, will speak about the crucial role of women in the reconstruction of 21st century Africa. She will introduce a concluding workshop in which LWA and other African entrepreneurs will present their infrastructure projects to investors.
AVALIABLE MEDIA
The one day conference will be filmed to build a virtual forum that will expand with each new event.
Stills, audio and broadcast quality video content will be made available for transmission and publication.
The full event programme including all speakers and delegates can be downloaded from website of the South African Investment Forum
PRESS CONTACT
Media Liaison: George Stamkoski : UK Mobile +44 7939 201 288
South Africa mobile +27 79 103 3203 : email on website of the South African Investment Forum