UNIS/INF/294
23 October 2008

Re-issued as received

South Africa to Host 18th Conference of African Ministers of Industry

Vienna, 23 October (UN Information Service) - From 24 to 28 October 2008, African Ministers of Industry and Trade will meet at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Conference Centre (ICC) in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, to plan for the future of the continent's industrial development. Their recommendations will be reported to the African Heads of State during the next summits of the African Union (AU).

The theme of the Conference, "Towards the accelerated industrial development for Africa - the need for local value addition and transformation of raw materials," seeks to strengthen and consolidate future planning around industry development on the continent.

A biennial event, CAMI 18 will elaborate on the implementation of the Action Plan for Accelerating Africa's Industrial Development to guide AU Member States, AU Organs and Regional Economic Communities on key priorities for African industrialisation. Adopted during the AU Summit of Heads of States in February 2008, the Action Plan is also expected to enhance efforts to intensify regional integration and improve intra-Africa trade and investment.

It will also guide member-states of the AU, Regional Economic Communities, and AU Organs, on key priorities for African industrialisation going forward, such as:

CAMI 18 represents a unique opportunity for African's political decision-makers to interact directly with business leaders, investment promotion agencies, and the private sector; numerous discussions will be enabled in parallel events:

In Durban, African Ministers of Industry and Trade will have the opportunity to exchange views with African business leaders, at the UNIDO-Africa Investor CEO Forum (organised in parallel to CAMI 18) to debate practical solutions to sector-specific challenges.

Concurrently, Africa Investor will host its annual Investment Awards, commonly known as the Oscars of Africa's private sector, to showcase the continent's 2008 investment success stories.

In addition, African Ministers of Industry and Trade will benefit from the findings and conclusions of the 4th African Investment Promotion Agency Network (AfrIPANet) meeting, which will be held immediately before the Conference.

AfrIPANet brings together investment promotion agencies and the private sector to bridge the existing investment knowledge gap in Africa. AfrIPANet also provides a tool for evidence-based policy-making. During the meeting, a regional programme for institutionalising investor surveys will be launched.

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The Conference is a joint effort of the dti, AU, and UNIDO.

NB: Members of the media are kindly advised to forward their accreditation details (ID/Passport numbers, affiliated media houses, names and surnames) for security clearance to:

Sidwell Medupe
Telephone: (+27) (0)735226801
Email: msmedupe@thedti.gov.za.

Accreditation will be live at the venue and will take place as follows:

Date: 23-24 October 2008
Time: 09:00-15:00

Only accredited media representatives will be permitted access to the session.

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Lillian Mofokeng
Chief Director Communication and Marketing, dti
Telephone: (+27-12) 394-1775
Mobile: (+27) (0)828888362
Email: Lmofokeng@thedti.gov.za
Website: www.thedti.gov.za

Stefano Bologna
UNIDO Representative, Head of Regional Office
Telephone: (+27-12) 394-5463
Website: www.unido.org

Jakop Noyo
African Union
Telephone: (+251) 91123-0587
Website: www.africa-union.org