This years summit, dubbed the NEPAD Transport and Infrastructure Summit 2010 and Africa Expo, is slated for October 13-15 in Midrand, north of Johannesburg.
While the summit discusses key infrastructural development issues on the continent, Meetings Direct sets up one-on-one meetings for delegates with similar business interests, enabling them to start immediate discussions without the usual effort of conference networking.
This years summit is once again expected to bring together government leaders, experts, key individuals, stakeholders, regulators, consultants and key decision-makers from both the private and public sector.
Also expected to attend are suppliers, contractors, manufacturers, service providers, financial houses, Importers, exporters, investment banks or partners, finance and insurance brokers, warehousing, safety and security, distribution, construction companies, operations managers, stock management, transport companies, logistics companies, supply chain managers and other service providers.
Zimbabwe is one of the countries that have confirmed participation at the summit, alongside Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Cameroon, Chad, DRC, Ethiopia, Egypt, Ghana, Gambia and Gabon, says a statement from the organisers.
Tanitha Jolly, director of the NEPAD Transport and Infrastructure Summit 2010 and Africa Expo, said the summit would discuss key issues involved in the development of Africa’s transport infrastructure as a major factor in the continent’s economic growth.
She said that the summit was a major effort to prioritise and promote infrastructure development across the continent against the backdrop of a recently published World Bank report, which blames poor infrastructure for inefficiencies and wastage costing Africa billions of dollars a year.
“Road and rail construction in the cross-border trade corridors as well as operation and ongoing maintenance are of major concern for the representatives of the regional economic communities. And the development of facilities at the main harbours affects everybody, added Jolly.
“The need for investment and the opportunities for investment are enormous and will be carefully scrutinised at the summit by executives from the donor agencies and investment banks.”
Presentations on possible solutions to immediate and long-term infrastructure needs will be made by international experts, leading the way for discussions at sector-specific parallel sessions, where delegates will debate and seek consensus, exchange ideas and experiences.
On water issues, also high on the agenda, the summit will discuss the wide range of issues involved in the development, management and protection of Africa’s water resources.
The crucial role of water in these issues will be the focus of presentations by international experts who will not only be covering the immediate challenges but will also be raising the continent’s long-term needs.
Post published in: News