He said AfCFTA agreements will “lay the basis for increased intra-African trade and can cement the continent’s position as the next growth frontier.”

As the theme of this year’s conference aptly puts it, TICAD 7 will help the continent solidify this status by advancing Africa’s development through people, technology and innovation. With a shared passion for the future, TICAD 7 will help position South Africa and Africa at the forefront of the “Fourth Industrial Revolution.”

By promoting its investment proposition, location, infrastructure and logistics, South Africa has positioned itself as a destination of choice. As the most industrialized country on the African continent, South Africa continues to make massive investments in infrastructure development, with many international companies utilizing the country as a strategic base for their operations on the African continent. South Africa looks forward to continuing on this positive path together with its Japanese partners.

www.brandsouthafrica.com

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CFC’s business community includes more than 180 members, with a footprint in 46 African countries. They are active across four major categories: financial companies, regional headquarters of multinational companies, service providers and holding companies.

Now recognized as one of the world’s most promising financial centers, CFC has also built a strong network of international partners, comprised of 12 international financial centers and 18 African investment promotion agencies, which are part of the “South-South partnerships”.

“We offer our members an attractive value proposition in a modern business environment with streamlined processes including administrative fasttracks, facilitation of people and capital flow and a fully operational international mediation and arbitration center in Casablanca. In parallel, a premium ‘Doing Business’ personalized support is available to our members so as to allow them to devote their focus towards their core business development. CFC is proud to contribute to Africa’s economic dynamism by accompanying world-leading companies. We cater to our community, while committing to promote our members’ expertise and enabling fruitful business synergies through our networking platform,” said Said Ibrahimi, CEO of Casablanca Finance City.

www.casablancafinancecity.com

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“It is estimated that by the middle of this century, Africa will provide approximately 60 percent of the world’s food needs,” said AMDIE Acting CEO Hicham Boudraa. “Agricultural development is a priority for Morocco as we have favorable weather, ideal soil conditions, knowledge, technology and land availability. While we currently sell raw produce to Europe and then purchase finished goods, there is huge potential for transformation. If the production of finished goods can be moved to Africa, profits can be directed to businesses across the continent.”

The Japan connection

Japan recognizes Morocco’s potential. While South Africa is home to the highest number of Japanese companies of any African country, Morocco comes a close second. Today the largest private employer in Morocco is a Japanese company.

“A strong value-offering is required to attract Japanese investors as they no longer simply relocate their businesses to reduce operating costs,” said Boudraa. “When considering a new market, Japanese investors need to see the values that country’s society holds dear in order for them to consider managing and operating their business from there.”

“AMDIE showcases the values which Moroccans hold dear to convince our Japanese partners to select Morocco as a place to do business. Today there is a dynamic relationship between Morocco and Japan in many areas and the Japan-Morocco partnership is becoming even stronger.”

The agency is working closely with the Japan External Trade Organization, Japan International Cooperation Agency and the Embassy of Japan in Morocco to promote the country’s competitive advantages. Morocco’s minister of industry visits Japan every year to attend high-level meetings and promote important sectors within the Moroccan economy that are ripe for investment.

“We understand that the Japanese analyze every decision they make and that important decisions can take time,” said Boudraa. “Once a decision has been made, Japanese executives stand by their decision and things can then move quickly. Economic stability is a key consideration for Japanese investors; while factors such as logistics and financing are important, stability is a must.”

“Our political system remains stable in what has been described as a turbulent region of the world,” said Boudraa. “The King of Morocco Mohammed VI is responsible for this and despite different governments holding power over the years, he has stayed true to his vision for the future of Morocco.”

Future-ready industrial growth

Local companies and multinationals will play a role in the expansion of the Moroccan economy and AMDIE is committed to ensuring that Japanese investment continues to flow into Morocco.

“In the coming years we will focus on further developing the country’s dynamic industries,” said Boudraa. “For example, we will support the automotive industry which is founded on a firm ecosystem comprising industrial parks such as the ones found in Kenitra and Tangier in the north of the country. The burgeoning aerospace industry will also continue to receive our support in addition to private investment.”

“Japanese investment banks and fund management companies continue to visit Morocco and we are confident that these visits will lead to tangible results,” Boudraa said. “Japanese firms are interested in large energy and infrastructure projects as they have the technical know-how required to bring these projects online. Once a Japanese construction company invests in Morocco, suppliers will follow and relationships can then blossom.”

“Our political stability and our king’s long-term vision have empowered Morocco on its journey to becoming a successful and vibrant economy,” said Boudraa.

“We are looking for foreign direct investment partners and real growth-drivers who can contribute to the future of our great country by initiating projects to create business momentum across Morocco.”

www.amdie.gov.ma

 

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Committed to international standards of quality, environmental protection and industrial health and safety, KIIC is the first industrial park in Indonesia to obtain ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 18001 certifications.

The city’s infrastructure includes well-maintained roads, a priority power arrangement delivering a stable supply of electricity, engineer-approved control systems and 24-hour security surveillance.

Of the 160 tenants, 80 percent are Japanese companies, including Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Yamaha Indonesia Motor Manufacturing, Astra Daihatsu Motor and Sharp Semiconductor Indonesia.

“In the last five years, we have begun to see more investments from the consumer goods and food sectors,” said president director Hisashi Akita. Indeed, Procter & Gamble, Uni-Charm, Kao Corp. and Ajinomoto Co. are just some of the notable companies located in KIIC.

With a strong community led by KIIC’s management and a proactive tenant-led association, KIIC tenants transcend industrial links and collaborate regularly to improve productivity and contribute to society.

“There are many Japanese businesses and families already moving closer to our area,” said Akita.

“Ongoing infrastructure projects are improving connectivity and driving economic growth in the surrounding area,” said Akita.

Developments include Patim- bang Deep Sea Port, Jakarta-Cikampek Elevated Toll Road, West Java Kertajati International Airport and the Jakarta Bandung High Speed Railway.

Just 56 kilometers from the center of Jakarta, KIIC also boasts a golf course, sports center, extended stay hotel, shops, restaurants, banks, clinics, petrol stations and other facilities to support their customers’ businesses.

Already in its fourth phase of expansion since 1993, KIIC has developed an additional 160 hectares of land to meet the growing demand for industrial space. As more international businesses establish operations in and around the city, KIIC is looking to expand its footprint and continue to deliver solutions to international businesses.

www.kiic.co.id

The design and layout plans of the IECC were prepared by ARCOP Associates Pvt. Ltd. with Aedas Pte. Ltd. of Singapore. Approved by Delhi Urban Art Commission and the National Monuments Authority, the complex will house an iconic convention centre with a capacity of 7,000. The new Pragati Maidan will bring together information communication technologies and building design innovation via a smart-grid which manages energy use and reduces waste. Even the basement parking, designed for 4,800 vehicles, will utilize smart-technologies to deliver better services.

Wide-ranging traffic decongestion strategies are also being implemented to benefit the general public and provide better access to the IECC. Covered pedestrian walk-ways around the complex and a skywalk to the Pragati Maidan Metro station will also improve connectivity.

In line with the pace of development projects in India, ITPO expects to deliver the project within twenty four month.

‘Our task is to attract participants and business delegates from all over the world’, says Goyal. ‘With its sheer magnificence and business conduciveness, the IECC will be an architectural marvel and a majestic landmark destination designed to be experienced in its entire splendour’.

www.indiatradefair.com

The Second Phase of the SDC (2011-2015) involved both public and private sector investments aligned with the country’s national key economic areas as set out in the Malaysian government’s ‘Economic Transformation Program’.

Investments covered tourism, oil and gas, energy, palm oil, agriculture, education, manufacturing and logistics. The State’s capital and main economic driver, Greater Kota Kinabalu, also saw significant direct investment.

‘During the second phase of the SDC, Sabah’s economy consistently grew and the gap with the national economy was reduced’, says Johari. ‘Today’s macroeconomic indicators reveal we are on par with the national average key performance indicators. In fact, our 4.7% GDP growth last year exceeded the 4.2% national-level growth rate’.

With the third phase underway, Sabah is pushing key projects such as the Sipitang Oil and Gas Industrial Park (SOGIP), the Marine Integrated Cluster (MIC), Sabah Agro-Industrial Precinct, Keningau Integrated Livestock Centre, Kinabalu Gold Coast Enclave, Sapangar Bay Manufacturing and Logistics Cluster (SMLC) and Palm Oil Industrial Clusters (POICs).

‘We are concentrating on market accessibility, container terminal upgradingand the expansion of Kota Kinabalu International Airport to meet passenger traffic demand’, says Johari. ‘Last year, we had a record number of tourist arrivals andwe expect this trend to continue given our flight connections to thirteen major cities in the region’.

Tourists to Sabah can scale Southeast Asia’s tallest peak; Mount Kinabalu, dive in the world-renowned Coral Triangle in Sipadan Island and catch the sun on the pristine beaches of Malaysia’s longest coastline. In addition, investors, entrepreneurs, students and professors are also making their way to Sabah, all eager to take advantage of the opportunities being realized by the SDC.

‘The combined population of ASEAN member countries and China is close to two billion and we intend to leverage Sabah’s central location in the region’, says Johari. ‘Singapore has tremendous expertise in the oil and gas sector and is the logistics hub for the region. As we develop the SMLC economic area and the Sapangar Bay Container Port, we invite our Singaporean friends to collaborate with us and work ever more closely together’.

Having signed numerous investment agreements with Southeast Asian companies, Johari is keen to continue creating strong partnerships. ‘We want to engage with companies who are active in e-commerce, agriculture, bio-technology and the creative industries’, Johari concludes. ‘We have come a long way in the last decade and there are huge economic opportunities in Sabah. We fully expect the pace of development to continue and look forward to realizing Sabah’s true potential’.

www.sdc.gov.my

With economic ambition, political stability, natural resources and a strategic location bridging Europe, the Middle East and Asia, Kazakhstan is building on its reputation as one of the world’s best investment destinations.

As the ninth largest country in the world with a population of 17.3 million, Kazakhstan offers a wealth of opportunities for foreign companies and international investors.

KAZNEX INVEST National Export and Investment Agency (KAZNEX INVEST), is committed to attracting foreign investment into Kazakhstan. The agency delivers consulting services, initial and post-investment support and encourages companies to do business in Kazakhstan. In 2013 KAZNEX INVEST attracted thirteen investors to Kazakhstan amounting to $500 million of investment.

The agency also develops and promotes Kazakhstan’s Special Economic Zones (SEZ) which are proving to be strong growth drivers across the country.

‘We are actively creating a positive investment climate in Kazakhstan’, says Nurken Berkinbayev, Managing Director of KAZNEX INVEST. ‘There is increased interest from international investors in the opportunities within the country and today, Kazakhstan is building on its position as a country with very favourable investment conditions’.

Investors are today offered thirty per cent cash back on investments with zero per cent on a range of taxes including VAT and corporate tax for ten years. Investors are also able to bring an unlimited number of employees to work in Kazakhstan.

As the sixth largest country in terms of its mineral resources, oil and other mineral resources generate significant wealth for Kazakhstan. The Head of States objectives for the economic development of the country lie in diversifying Kazakhstan’s economy.

SEZs developed and managed by KAZNEX INVEST have directly improved the country’s investment competitiveness and strengthened key sectors of economy. Established to reduce costs and add value to domestic and multinational companies operating across the country, Kazakhstan’s sector specific SEZs today include: Atyrau – Petrochemical, Aktau – Metalwork, instrumentation, Borovoye – Tourism, Astana – Construction, Pavlodar – Chemistry, Petrochemical, Karaganda – Metallurgy and metalwork, Khorgos – Trade and logistics, Almaty – ICT and IT innovation, Taraz – Chemistry, Shymkent – Textiles.

Kazakhstan continues to actively lead the region in attracting foreign investment and KAZNEX INVEST is successfully assisting Asian investors accessing the Kazakhstan market.

Numerous bilateral trade agreements and missions to China indicate that Chinese investors will play a significant role in the future development of Kazakhstan.

Acknowledging China as one of Kazakhstan’s increasingly important partners, KAZNEX INVEST is actively engaging with the Chinese business and investment communities through its representative office in Beijing. With Hong Kong residents now able to travel to Kazakhstan ‘visa-free’ for 14 days, increased interest in Kazakhstan is expected from Hong Kong: the financial gateway to mainland China.

Future incentives and ambitious large-scale projects will continue to bring investors to Kazakhstan from China and the rest of the world. As Kazakhstan and China build on their strong ties, KAZNEX INVEST’s efforts will undoubtedly result in the ongoing prosperity of Kazakhstan.

Business Comes To Life Here

The New South Wales Government Business Office in San Francisco is opening this month. The office is your source of information on trade, investment and business opportunities in Sydney and New South Wales. Sydney, Australia’s only global city and  financial services hub, is the gateway to one of the world’s most economically resilient nations. Known for innovation, research and development and world-class products and services, New South Wales offers many great business opportunities. So make your smartest business move yet. Contact our business specialists in San Francisco.