Georgia State chapter of the All Nigeria American Congress (ANAC) is set to draw top Nigerian businessmen and women, lawmakers, and other government functionaries to the state of Georgia, in the United States to its planned 2009 Annual United States-Nigeria Economic Conference scheduled for the Hyatt Regency Hotel, Atlanta Georgia.

The conference organized by the Nigerian Tourism Expo (NITEX), is a 2-day event, from Friday, November 20 to Saturday, November 21 which culminates with a Trade Exhibition and Gala Night on Saturday.

The Conference will be moderated by Prof. Martin Okafor, Chairman ANAC, and Prof Mrs. Juliet Elu of Morehouse College, Atlanta Georgia.

The theme of the conference is "Strengthening our Partnership for Sustainable Growth and Prosperity in the Global Recession". The objective of the conference is to bring together stakeholders and partners from the United States and Nigeria, aimed at sharing ideas for mutual benefits in the area of economic growth and empowerment.

According to statement made available to Daily Champion and signed by Mr. Paul Oranika, chairman of Information and Public Affairs of the All Nigerian American Congress, in Atlanta Georgia, United States, a roll call of attendees at the summit includes top government functionaries, lawmakers and diplomats.

List of Attendees include: Alhaji Aliko Dangote, President, Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE; Dr. Hassan Lawal, Minister of Works, Housing & Urban Development; Prof. Akpan H. Ekpo, Director General/CEO, WAIFEM and Director African Finance/Economic Association USA; Dr. Mansur Ahmed, Director-General/CEO, Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission; Dr. (Mrs.) Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Managing Director, World Bank; Mr. Odein Ajumogobia, Minister of State for Petroleum; Mrs. Obiageli Ezekwesili, Vice-President, World Bank Africa Region.

Others are: Senator Liyel Imoke, Governor, Cross-River State; Senator Bello Gada, Minister of Tourism; Professor Joy Ogwu, Nigeria's Permanent Representative, United Nations; Barrister Akpabio, Governor of Akwa Ibom State; Sen. Ndoma-Egba (SAN), Deputy Leader, Senate; Professor Ndi Okereke-Onyiuke, Director, Nigerian Stock Exchange; Professor Patrick Utomi,

Director Lagos Business School; Alvin Rosenbaum, Consultant, International Tourism Development, CDC Development Solution; Hon. Bassey E. Otu, Chairman, House of Representatives, Committee on Petroleum, Senator Jubril Aminu, Chairman, Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs; and H.E. Nkoyo Toyo Nigeria's Ambassador to Ethiopia, Djibouti and the African Union (AU).

Day One of the confab which sees Director of the LBS, Prof Utomi, Mayor of Atlanta, Rt. Hon. Shirley Franklin, Ambassador of Nigeria, Washington DC, HE Amb. Wakil, Consul-General of Nigeria in Atlanta, Hon Chudi Okafor, all deliver the opening address, will also feature the presentation of a paper titled; Political Reforms and Good Governance in Nigeria: Commitment to an Enduring Legacy , by Senator Victor-Ndoma-Egba (SAN), Deputy Leader of the senator.

Other papers to be presented at the summit include: The Nigerian Economy within Sub Saharan Africa: Strengths and Challenges, by Professor Akpan H. Ekpo, Director General / CEO, West African Institute For Financial & Economic Management; Developing a Tourism Economy for Nigeria: The CDC Project, by Alvin Rosebaum; Banking and Financial Reforms in Nigeria: The Road to Recovery, by Hon John O. Enoh, Chairman, House Committee on Finance; Why we are Investing and expanding in Nigeria, by Tim Docking of the IBM; Maritime Security: Opportunities for Strategic Collaboration and Intervention in Nigeria and West Africa, by Hon Ehigio West-Idahosa , Chairman, House Committee on Maritime Security

Special Adviser to Otunba Christopher Alao-Akala, the Governor Oyo State, on Governmental Project, Mr. Dare Adeleke will also present a Paper on; Investment Opportunities in Oyo State Nigeria, while a paper titled: Repositioning Nigeria's Oil and Gas Industry to Meet Global Demands, by Mr. Odein Ajumogobia, Minister of State Ministry of Petroleum Resources.

Others are: Cross River State as the New Frontier for Investment in Nigeria: Opportunities, Incentives and Environment, by Governor Liyel Imoke of Cross River State; Tourism as the New Frontier to grow African Economies, by Dr Obiageli Ezekwesili, Vice - President Africa Region, World Bank; Global Economic Recovery: Strategic Options for Development Economies, by Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Managing Director, World Bank.