The annual 2010 GLOBAL BUSINESS SUMMIT will be held from 13-15 April 2010 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, Cape Town, South Africa.

2010 GLOBAL BUSINESS SUMMIT is an international conference for dialogue and business-driven action for sustainable economic development in South Africa. It is the perfect platform for a concerted promotional drive geared toward building inward and outward investment momentum. The summit will highlight key investment opportunities in each of South Africa’s economic sectors and in its nine regions, focusing on national and regional priority sectors as per the Accelerated and Shared Growth Initiative for South Africa (ASGISA) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

2010 GBS is organised and coordinated by SkyMED!A, a leading specialist media and events organiser.

Aims & Objectives:

• Enhance collaboration between the global business community and South African private and public sectors.
• Challenge perceptions and get global decision makers to seriously consider South Africa as a premier tourism, trade and investment destination.
• Promote business, trade and investment between South Africa and global markets and explore new opportunities.
• Increase awareness of the many business opportunities in South Africa.
• Encourage partnerships in major market sectors and illustrate the expanding investment opportunities in South Africa’s economy.
• Provide delegates – traders and investors, importers and exporters – with an informed view on doing business with and within South Africa.
• Increase foreign direct investment.
• Promote sustainable economic development.

Important topics will include Trade and Investment Opportunities in South Africa, the Global Finan­cial Meltdown, Renewable Energies, New Economic Policies and “Green” Policy and Strategies. The summit will focus on South Africa’s importance as an increasingly dynamic economic region, as well as the potential of its private sector to enhance its competitiveness while playing a leadership role in advancing sustainability and corporate responsibility. Delegates will come face-to-face with local and global organisations and uncover business trends for developing competitive advantages.

The summit will address priority sector topics covering major market segments:
Agri-processing · Arts and Culture · Automotive · Business Process Outsourcing · Construction and Building Products · Consumer Goods · Education Services and Training · Environment · Fishing · Gen­eral Manufacturing · Health · Information and Communication Technology · Infrastructure (Energy, Water, Transport) · Mining · Tourism

Who will be there:

2010 Global Business Summit brings together business leaders from all regions of the world to meet with their South African peers, public policy makers, civil society leaders and other stakehold­ers active or interested in the business opportunities and investment opportunities offered by an intensified economic dialogue and exchange between South Africa and Global Markets.

This global platform provides a forum for some of the world’s top business and financial leaders to discuss trade and investment opportunities in South Africa, best practices, and how best to in­crease trade and investment in a sustainable manner. Delegates will be able to share knowledge and experiences, create partnerships and develop solutions to some of the greatest challenges facing the world today – solutions that place local corporations at the centre of international business.

Who should participate:

Investors, Exporters and Foreign Importers · Local, National and Global Companies · State-Owned Enterprises · District and Local Municipalities · The Diplomatic Community · DTI foreign economic officials · Academics · Foreign Government Departments and Agencies · Global Business Leaders · Decision Makers from Public and Private Sector Organisations · Economists and Political Analysts · International and National Development Agencies · Trade and Investment Promotion Agencies · Destination Marketing Organisations · Financial Institutions · National and Provincial Government Departments · Chambers of Industry and Commerce · Members of the Media

Key benefits:

The 2010 GLOBAL BUSINESS SUMMIT offers a unique and high-powered marketing platform designed to benefit your business:

• Access to high-level networking opportunities
• Access to high-ranking government officials and business leaders
• Raise your company profile internationally
• Build your brand identity
• Generate new business partnerships
• Launch your new products or services
• Increase your market exposure

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WESGRO is the official trade and investment promotion agency for the Western Cape. They hosted an event that focused on the various economic opportunities that the 2010 World Cup presented for small businesses and even for people who wish to establish a business just for the period of the world cup.

SkyMED!A partnered with WESGRO because of the strong synergies between the content of the event and that of our flagship Destination2010 publication. Destination2010 is a comprehensive journal on South Africa’s plans, preparations and state of readiness to host a successful world cup.

Gary Bailey, former Manchester United football player was a guest speaker who gave tremendous insight into the manner in which people should approach business opportunities around the world cup. Other speakers included the CEO of WESGRO Angelo Manzoni, CEO of SkyMED!A Muhammed Dawood and Lesley de Reuk, 2010 Director, Western Cape.

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The objective of the breakfast was to look at the successes and failures in the implementation of the BBBEE Act by both business and government in the tourism industry. The then Minister in the Department of Trade and Industry, Mr Mandisi Mpahlwa was the key note speaker addressing this important topic.

To create awareness of the importance of what the positive outcomes of proper implementation of this Act could be for South Africa and specifically the tourism industry.

To present to the tourism business community at large an opportunity to interact with Minister Mpahlwa and o get an affirmation from government on whether or not there are discussions of possible sunset clauses on legislations such as the BBBEE Act.

Santam Group Executive, Temba Mvusi who is the executive head Market Development also addressed the audience on the potential of the tourism market in South Africa.

We partnered with the BMF on this event because of the synergies that that existed between the topic of the meeting and the content of SkyMED!A’s INVEST IN SOUTH AFRICA trade and investment journal that serves as one of the dti’s tools to market South Africa as a competitive trade and investment destination.

When the Minister was asked to comment on the INVEST IN SOUTH AFRICA journal, he had the following to say: "I am very encouraged by the Invest in South Africa initiative. I am encouraged because the job of promoting South Africa and attracting companies to this country is not one that can be monopolised by the government and by government agencies. Within the government we have Trade and Investment South Africa, the International Marketing Council and various provincial agencies - but it is also important to have these kinds of private initiatives where South African companies are engaging the field on their own. I am encouraged that SkyMED!A has seen the need to do this."

- Mandisi Mpahlwa, former Minister of Trade and Industry, economic advisor to President Jacob Zuma

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The annual Black Manager of the Year awards was held at the CTICC at a gala banquette celebrating the achievements and accomplishments of Cape Town’s top business professionals.

An insightful presentation was delivered by the very accomplished Dr Mamphela Ramphela – Chairperson Circle Capital the guest speaker for the evening.

Muhammed Dawood – CEO of SkyMED!A was also a guest speaker and presented a brief speech on the obstacles in conducting business with government and the power of advertising, especially in tough economic times.

The finalists and winners were:

The event was once again a tremendous success and SkyMED!A looks forward to a long term relationship with the BMF.

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The City of Matlosana has employed the expertise of SkyMED!A to promote this North West town as a competitive investment destination within South Africa. This was achieved by hosting The Global Investors Conference during September 2008 in Klerksdorp. The City of Matlosana had the opportunity to market investment opportunities to both local and international investors. At the close of the conference, 3.5 billion Rands worth of business was concluded amongst The City of Matlosana and participants in the conference. We wish the City of Matlosana all the best in developing in becoming a leading City in South Africa.

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