CBC Members' Lunch with Paul Skinner Chair of CBC and Rio Tinto, London

On the 5th November 2008 over 70 CBC members and representative of partner organisations gathered to hear Paul Skinner CBC and Rio Tinto Chair speak on Global Challenges – Commonwealth Opportunities.

Mr Skinner addressed the audience, including members of the CBC Board, on how Commonwealth countries, in this time of economic crisis, are well placed to utilise the relationships within the association to make globalisation work better for all. He argued that while “we are facing an unparalleled set of economic challenges that require new thinking and responses”, the Commonwealth “has an important role and potential in helping governments and business respond to these new dimensions of Globalisation”.

Mr Skinner's speech was followed by a lively question and answer session. A full copy of his speech can be read here.

Paul Skinner addressing Guests gathered for the Lunch

Hon. Monique Nsanzabaganwa, Min. of Trade & Industry, Rwanda at EAIBF 08

Dirk Harbecke speaking at EAIBF 08

HE Paul Kagame hosting EAIBF 08

Hon. Linda Bihire taking part in EAIBF 08

Mary Baine at EAIBF

Jonathan Hoffman speaking at EAIBF 08

Thierry Tanoh during the opening ceremony EAIBF 08

Jeremy Pike speaking at EAIBF 08

Over 350 delegates gathered at the Africa Investment Forum to discuss and analyse the current financial situation and its impact on investment in Africa at the Gallagher Convention Centre, Johannesburg, South Africa on the 18 th – 19 th November 2008.

Participants included 12 Investment promotion agencies from across the continent, International delegates from over 25 countries, representing investment banks and other large scale financial institutions, who gathered to hear presentations and learn of investment opportunities.

SABC, South Africa’s largest broadcaster, set up a studio at the Forum and ran a series of programs on the issues developed at the forum. This unprecedented media attention demonstrates the current interest in Africa as an investment location in this time of economic crisis and the immediacy and impact of the topics discussed. CBC will continue the debate, and the push for increasing investment at its upcoming AAAA Business Summit in Dubai on 4 -5th February 2009.

Honourable Archibald Lesao Lehohla, Deputy Prime Minister of Lesotho speaking at AIF 08

CBC African Banks Lunch, London

The London chiefs of 10 West African banks gathered at the prestigious Reform Club on 11 November 2008 for a working lunch organised by the CBC and hosted by Joe Mensah CEO of Ghana International Bank,

“An important strength of the CBC lies in the number of West African banks with a UK operation with which we have close relations,” said CBC Director Peter Longworth

“They are established here to draw benefit from London’s position as a Global Financial Services hub which is also the CBC’s operations base. There is a lot we can do together. They also represent the dynamism and strong resource base of the banking industry in the West African Region where the CBC is increasingly and actively engaged.

Longworth and fellow CBC directors Gregor MacKinnon and Jeff Rodwell outlined the CBC’s packed programme for Africa, drawing particular attention to the major infrastructure workshop being organised with the Executive Governor of Lagos State in London on 4 December.

African Bankers gathered for the Lunch

Commonwealth Tourism Ministers Meeting, London

CBC contributed private sector views to the meeting of Commonwealth Tourism Ministers held in London on 12 November. Dr Barry Humphreys, Director of External Affairs and Route Development for CBC Member Virgin Atlantic Airways, spoke on the challenges for tourism in the current economic crisis and the impact on tourism destinations and the aviation industry. He drew attention to the anticipated downturn in tourism traffic and reduction in tourism revenues. In this context, he urged governments not to view tourism as a cash cow which could be subject to tax upon tax; ultimately this would discourage tourism and development of the industry. He referred to the mounting pressure on the aviation industry to reduce emissions, but said there was a popular misconception of the scale of emissions. For example, emissions in the UK from the IT and Communications sector have now surpassed those from the aviation sector. New generation biofuels were being developed for aviation and Virgin Atlantic had flown the first commercial flight using a biofuel blend in February 2008. Further tests were expected on the way to wider scale application.

Lagos State Infrastructure Workshop, London, December 04, 2008

Lagos State, the Commonwealth Business Council and the City of London are proud to present the Lagos State Infrastructure Workshop. The event will give the Governor of Lagos State and his officials the opportunity to set out the ambitious Lagos State infrastructure programme to practitioners in a world centre of expertise and innovative finance. The workshop will be launched by His Excellency Babatunde Raji Fashola, Executive Governor, Lagos State and Alderman Ian Luder, Rt. Hon The Lord Mayor of London.

Register online and receive a 10% discount

CBC Members are entitled to one free place and the rest at a 50% discount. For more information please contact Nicole Nwasike

***Workshop Sold Out ***

Arab-Americas-Asia-Africa Business Summit 2009, Dubai, 04 - 05 February 2009

The CBC, Dubai Group and the United Arab Emirates are pleased to announce that our annual Arab-Americas-Asia-Africa Business Summit is scheduled for 4 - 5 February 2009 and will be in Dubai. The Summit is being organised in association with the United Nations Conference for Trade and Development (UNCTAD). This forum will focus on the role of new economic actors in emerging economies in driving forward global economic development and wealth creation.

Register online and receive a 10% discount

CBC Members are entitled to one free place and the rest at a 50% discount. For more information please contact Nicole Nwasike

Africa Outsourcing Summit, London (NEW DATES – 2-3 MARCH 2009)

Commonwealth Technology, the technology & outsourcing arm of the CBC, is delighted to present the first ever Africa Outsourcing Summit NOW ON 2-3 MARCH 2009 at the Royal Automobile Club in London. This Summit, will offer a platform for many African nations to showcase their attractiveness to European companies that are currently looking to expand their outsourcing options.

Register online and receive a 10% discount

CBC Members are entitled to one free place and the rest at a 50% discount. For more information please contact Nicole Nwasike

West Africa Investment Forum 2009, Lagos, 10 - 12 March 2009

The Commonwealth Business Council is delighted to be hosting the fourth annual West Africa Investment Forum in Abuja Nigeria. Part of our Africa Investment series, the event is a unique private-public programme on business and investment. CBC launched this programme in 2002 and in 2008 the series included the West Africa Investment Forum, Africa Investment Forum, the Africa Business Forum, the East Africa International Business Forum and the Cameroon Investment Forum.

Register online and receive a 10% discount

CBC Members are entitled to one free place and the rest at a 50% discount. For more information please contact Nicole Nwasike