President Zuma to attend World Economic Forum on Africa

2 May 2010

President Jacob Zuma will on 5 to 7 May 2010 undertake a working visit to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania to attend the 20th meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) on Africa.

The World Economic Forum presents an opportunity to engage the continental political and business leaders in partnerships to shape global, regional and industry agendas. In line with the outcomes of the 19th WEF on Africa, it is noted that the transition to a post-crisis world presents Africa with an opportunity to rethink its growth roadmap.

In this regard, participants will be expected to exchange views on the following issue: “How are leaders rising to the challenge and designing a new growth strategy for Africa?” The aforementioned theme is also in line with the Africa discussions during the 40th WEF Annual General Meeting (AGM) in January 2010.

South Africa’s participation in WEF on Africa aims to:

* Promote the national, regional and continental socio-economic development imperatives, as embodied in the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) principles and objectives
* Promote the importance of trade, industrialisation, agricultural development, infrastructure development and innovation, as key drivers for sustained economic growth
* Promote the importance of public-private collaboration in maximising opportunities on the continent
* Promote and obtaining support for Africa’s regional economic integration agenda
* Emphasise the role of Africa in transforming international financial architecture to sustain growth post the global financial and economic crisis.

President Zuma attended the 19th World Economic Forum on Africa in Cape Town in June 2009 and the WEF annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland in January this year.

President Zuma will be accompanied by Minister of Finance Pravin Gordhan, Minister of Science and Technology Naledi Pandor, Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs Buyelwa Sonjica, Minister of Trade and Industry Rob Davies, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Tina Joemat-Pettersson, Minister of Economic Development Ebrahim Patel and senior government officials.

Enquiries:
Vincent Magwenya
Cell: 072 715 0024

Issued by: The Presidency
2 May 2010