Kenya to host South Sudan investment conference
Mar 7, 2006 (NAIROBI) — Kenya will host an international investment conference for southern Sudan next week to promote business opportunities in the war-torn country to the international investors.
The two-day conference, dubbed “Southern Sudan Investment and Development Conference,” which begins on March 14, will target international investors, financiers and the service sector, said Malei Nthiwa, program director of Bread of Life Africa (BOLA), the organizer of the event, Monday.
“The conference will offer a forum for the Sudanese private and public sectors to showcase opportunities in the oil, gas, power, infrastructure and agriculture sub-sectors,” Nthiwa said.
He said the meeting will also seek ways of tapping immense business opportunities in the region, unlocked by last year’s signing of the landmark peace agreement between Khartoum government and southern rebels.
BOLA, which has branches in Sudan, Kenya and other Horn of Africa countries, is organizing the event in partnership with UK- based CWC Group and Al-Bader International Development Company.
“The meeting will bring together over 200 technical experts, investors, donors, NGO and government officials, who will discuss the role regional investors and traders can play in the development of southern Sudan,” Nthiwa said.
“Businessmen in east Africa are anxious to learn about investment and trade opportunities arising out of southern Sudan but have very little information by which they can rationally assess risks and opportunities,” he said.
Nthiwa said the meeting, which will be officially opened by Sudanese senior officials, would review the investment climate and the impact of the peace agreement on energy and infrastructure development.
Also lined-up for discussion is consolidating the peace agreement in Sudan, especially relations between North and South.
Other topics include the Sudan’s international relations, Sudan ‘s recent economic developments, and the challenges of the peace agreement in relation to investment.
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 (SPLM/A) signed a Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) in Nairobi in January 2005.
Under the CPA, SPLM/A was allowed to form a semi-autonomous government in the southern areas, which it controls.
Southern Sudan, ravaged by many years of civil war and neglected by the central government in Khartoum is looking towards the reconstruction of institutions and delivery of essential services.
A United Nations diplomat in Nairobi, who sought anonymity, said that it is clear that for the process in Sudan to succeed, a real partnership between Sudan and the international community will be required.
“Until now, this partnership has waited for a demonstration by the Sudanese people of their serious determination and commitment to a united vision and process for rebuilding their country. Successfully establishing a national framework will be pivotal,” the diplomat said.
On the Net :
– http://www.thecwcgroup.com/conf_detail_home.asp?FP=1&CID=116
– http://www.southernsudanconference.co.ke/
(Xinhua/ST)