Kenya to host investment conference for South Sudan
Dec 23, 2005 (NAIROBI) — Three international organizations are planning an investment conference in Nairobi in collaboration with the southern Sudan authorities.
The organizations include UK-based CWC Group, Al-Bader International Development Company and Bread of Life Africa (BOLA).
The theme of the conference will be Sudan Investment and Development and will be held at the Safari Park Hotel between 14 and 15 March.
“The conference will offer a unique opportunity to bring together decision-makers from both sides of the investment equation in southern Sudan to discuss strategies for long-term sustainable development,” says Malei Nthiwa, the Bola programme director.
Top SPLM/A officials will attend the summit that is expected to witness the signing of business deals.
In May, BOLA organized a similar conference at the same venue that attracted a number of potential investors and traders.
Nthiwa said the question of how the international private sector can best work with the southern Sudanese private sector will also be addressed.
Bola, which has branches in Sudan, Kenya and other Horn of Africa countries, said the event would be structured in such a way that it would encourage international investors, financiers and the service sector to southern Sudan.
The area ravaged by war since Sudan’s independence in 1956 is said to be rich in natural gas, oil, gold, and other precious metals.
Investment opportunities increased after Khartoum and Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army signed a Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) in Nairobi in January.
Under the CPA, SPLM/A was allowed to form a semi-autonomous government in the southern areas, which it controls.
The SPLM/A government is faces the challenge of establishing institutions a network to deliver services to its people.
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