Geza Ulole
JF-Expert Member
- Oct 31, 2009
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WEF Africa Conference 2010: A success before it even began FINNIGAN WA SIMBEYE, 3rd May 2010 @ 16:00, Total Comments: 0, Hits: 199
This conference was a success even before it began and thats because delegates were queuing up to attend it Katherine Tweedie, WEF AFRICA Director talks about African development, access to credit and the missing middle as she answers questions from FINNIGAN WA SIMBEYE, Daily News Business Reporter Interview with Katherine Tweedie, WEF on Africa Director (Head)
Q: Why was Tanzania picked to host the conference?
A: Our conference has a particular format and style which has specific needs of the venue. We thought the new convention centre is an example of an excellent facility. The other conference facilities in Accra or Nairobi dont meet our needs because they were built on the World Bank model. But we also are encouraged by President Kikwetes commitment to the World Economic Forum which he has attended regularly. His government has been very supportive indeed.
Q: Apart from Tanzania which African countries have hosted this meeting before?
A: For the past 19 years it was dominated by South Africa but we have also held the conference in Mozambique and Namibia.
Q: What is your feeling about the preparations for the conference so far?
A: Excellent, everything is going on well and once again we are very encouraged by the governments commitment to ensure that the conference is a success and I want to thank the president personally for his commitment.
Q: How do you compare this conference and previous ones at this point in time?
A: This one attracted 500 participants immediately we announced it was going to happen, then in Cape Town last year the figure rose to between 800-900 participants and this year we already have had 1,000 confirmations. We commend the private sectors increasing interest in the conference.
Q: Critics see the WEF as a gathering of the world's most powerful business leaders seeking favours from policy makers to access markets and resources. What is your take on this?
A: We try to bring together people from all walks of life, global company executives and low profile people, and, of course, government officials. And for the African conferences we have brought local entrepreneurs especially those working in green energy projects, and women. Among the topics which will be discussed is how to help small scale businesses access credit and grow. Its a place where frank discussions are held with different people interacting.
Q: This years theme is Rethinking Africas growth strategy: what exactly does this mean?
A: The theme is meant to address the continents growth after the recession by encouraging foreign investors to see the continent as a place of opportunity and not risk. The conference will focus on building effective institutions for good governance, the future of democracy on the continent, infrastructure development and what we call the missing middle which means addressing SMEs access to credit.
Q. During the press conference you held last Thursday, you talked about influencing foreign investors to change their mindset on Africa as a place of risk to invest. Over the past two decades what can you say about investors' attitude towards the continent?
A: Its changed but we need more change because people lost billions of dollars on Wall Street during the recession which means that Africas risks are much better compared to Wall Street and the rate of return is higher than elsewhere in the world.
Q: Who finances the conference and how much is the budget?
A: The World Economic Forum has 16 multinational corporations as partners and four regional allies who raise funds for the conferences. The budget varies and so its not easy to have a fixed figure.
Q: So what does the host government contribute?
A: Well, we also work with the host government which helps provide logistics and protocol to ensure that the conference is a success. The cost of this can better be provided by the host government.
Q: You have emphasised President Kikwetes commitment to this event. Can you tell me what has Tanzania gained in return?
A: Currently with the World Economic Forum initiative, we have global companies such as Unilever and Yara working with the Tanzania government to boost the agriculture sector. There are also several other initiatives involving the government of Tanzania and global companies to improve things here.
http://www.dailynews.co.tz/feature/?n=9608&cat=feature
My take:
That red excites me? any doubts from "the Regional powerhouse"? suprizingly not a news in the our region super power media? however the same media from our regional power house was a pundit on arguing whether Dar es salaam deserved to host WEF instead of Nairobi ? bad loosers sign enheeeee? any coincidence? :rolleyez: the media there covers China expo and Kibaki's trip to there suprizingly again he did not visit Uganda, Burundi and Tanzania stands but Rwanda and Ghana hehehe another incidence :smile-big:! The region is shaped up indeed
This conference was a success even before it began and thats because delegates were queuing up to attend it Katherine Tweedie, WEF AFRICA Director talks about African development, access to credit and the missing middle as she answers questions from FINNIGAN WA SIMBEYE, Daily News Business Reporter Interview with Katherine Tweedie, WEF on Africa Director (Head)
Q: Why was Tanzania picked to host the conference?
A: Our conference has a particular format and style which has specific needs of the venue. We thought the new convention centre is an example of an excellent facility. The other conference facilities in Accra or Nairobi dont meet our needs because they were built on the World Bank model. But we also are encouraged by President Kikwetes commitment to the World Economic Forum which he has attended regularly. His government has been very supportive indeed.
Q: Apart from Tanzania which African countries have hosted this meeting before?
A: For the past 19 years it was dominated by South Africa but we have also held the conference in Mozambique and Namibia.
Q: What is your feeling about the preparations for the conference so far?
A: Excellent, everything is going on well and once again we are very encouraged by the governments commitment to ensure that the conference is a success and I want to thank the president personally for his commitment.
Q: How do you compare this conference and previous ones at this point in time?
A: This one attracted 500 participants immediately we announced it was going to happen, then in Cape Town last year the figure rose to between 800-900 participants and this year we already have had 1,000 confirmations. We commend the private sectors increasing interest in the conference.
Q: Critics see the WEF as a gathering of the world's most powerful business leaders seeking favours from policy makers to access markets and resources. What is your take on this?
A: We try to bring together people from all walks of life, global company executives and low profile people, and, of course, government officials. And for the African conferences we have brought local entrepreneurs especially those working in green energy projects, and women. Among the topics which will be discussed is how to help small scale businesses access credit and grow. Its a place where frank discussions are held with different people interacting.
Q: This years theme is Rethinking Africas growth strategy: what exactly does this mean?
A: The theme is meant to address the continents growth after the recession by encouraging foreign investors to see the continent as a place of opportunity and not risk. The conference will focus on building effective institutions for good governance, the future of democracy on the continent, infrastructure development and what we call the missing middle which means addressing SMEs access to credit.
Q. During the press conference you held last Thursday, you talked about influencing foreign investors to change their mindset on Africa as a place of risk to invest. Over the past two decades what can you say about investors' attitude towards the continent?
A: Its changed but we need more change because people lost billions of dollars on Wall Street during the recession which means that Africas risks are much better compared to Wall Street and the rate of return is higher than elsewhere in the world.
Q: Who finances the conference and how much is the budget?
A: The World Economic Forum has 16 multinational corporations as partners and four regional allies who raise funds for the conferences. The budget varies and so its not easy to have a fixed figure.
Q: So what does the host government contribute?
A: Well, we also work with the host government which helps provide logistics and protocol to ensure that the conference is a success. The cost of this can better be provided by the host government.
Q: You have emphasised President Kikwetes commitment to this event. Can you tell me what has Tanzania gained in return?
A: Currently with the World Economic Forum initiative, we have global companies such as Unilever and Yara working with the Tanzania government to boost the agriculture sector. There are also several other initiatives involving the government of Tanzania and global companies to improve things here.
http://www.dailynews.co.tz/feature/?n=9608&cat=feature
My take:
That red excites me? any doubts from "the Regional powerhouse"? suprizingly not a news in the our region super power media? however the same media from our regional power house was a pundit on arguing whether Dar es salaam deserved to host WEF instead of Nairobi ? bad loosers sign enheeeee? any coincidence? :rolleyez: the media there covers China expo and Kibaki's trip to there suprizingly again he did not visit Uganda, Burundi and Tanzania stands but Rwanda and Ghana hehehe another incidence :smile-big:! The region is shaped up indeed
