Washington, D.C. — The Corporate Council on Africa (CCA) announced today that the nation's major business conference between the United States and the nations of Africa, will be held in Cape Town, South Africa. The biennial U.S.-Africa Business Summit is scheduled from November 14-16, 2007 at the Cape Town Convention Centre. This is CCA's sixth Summit, but the first ever to be held in Africa.
"CCA has never hosted our flagship event on the Continent, so it is a significant move for us. We need to find ways to increase US investment in Africa. This may be the best way to do it. South Africa is an important gateway to Africa, and U.S. businesses will be able to experience Africa first-hand. We also believe African business attendance will be significant." said Mr. Stephen Hayes, President of the CCA.
CCA Chairman of the Board, Maurice Tempelsman said, "This conference really is a major initiative for the United States business community. We expect full support from our government as well as many governments in Africa." Furthermore, "The US economy needs to benefit from investment in Africa, as much as Africa needs US private sector investment. We can't do it by sitting at home while the rest of the world discovers the benefits of investment in Africa."
The U.S.-Africa Business Summit will be a three-day event packed with sector-specific plenary sessions, workshops, and networking opportunities. Sessions will focus on key sectors such as finance, energy, power, telecommunications, mining, agribusiness, the sports and entertainment industry and more. A new feature at the 2007 Summit will be a major trade show that will allow companies to showcase their products, services, and capabilities to potential buyers and customers throughout Africa.
"We would like to invite those U.S. businesses who have never thought about Africa as a business destination, to travel to Cape Town to explore the many opportunities available on the Continent," Hayes added. Tourism opportunities will be offered for all participants as well.
The previous Summits have hosted thousands of business people, as well as dozens of government Heads of State, including President George W. Bush, South Africa's President Thabo Mbeki and World Bank President Paul Wolfowitz.
The Corporate Council on Africa, with its nearly 200-member companies, represents about eighty-five percent of US private direct investment in Africa. Its mission is to strengthen trade between American and African businesses. CCA programs are designed to bring together potential business partners and to showcase business opportunities on the continent. The organization is dedicated to raising Africa's investment profile in the U.S. through the development of critical contacts and business relationships. CCA members believe that Africa's future success depends upon the ability of its entrepreneurs and business people to create and retain wealth through private enterprise.
Media inquiries should be directed to Angela Rae at arae@africacncl.org
CCA, established in 1993, is a nonpartisan 501(c)(3) membership organization of nearly 200 U.S. companies dedicated to strengthening the commercial relationship between the U.S. and Africa. CCA members represent nearly 85 percent of total U.S. private sector investments in Africa. Visit CCA's website at www.africacncl.org
