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Gulf-Africa Strategy Forum

As part of the overall expansion of the Gulf-Africa Research Program at the Gulf Research Center (GRC), the Center is organizing a high-level conference in Cape Town, South Africa entitled "The Gulf and Africa: Developing a new Strategic Partnership." The conference will be held on the 24th and 25th of February 2009 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre with the support of its Platinum Sponsor, Best Asset Class.

The Gulf-Africa Strategy Forum 2009 aims to cement the Gulf-Africa relationship by offering an in-depth assessment of the status of ties and a clear outlook to where the relationship could be heading. The Gulf-Africa Strategy Forum will become an annual GRC conference event which will bring together the key leaders and personalities from business, academia, government and media to outline the main issues and challenges facing more constructive relations between the key regions of Africa and the Gulf. The main purpose of this event will be to propose a set of policy recommendations that can ensure that the opportunities in closer Africa-Gulf ties are highlighted and adequately responded to. Of equal importance is to identify trends and future prospects to maximize benefits and advantages of such relation.

It is the Center's belief that in addition to traditional partners like the United States and Europe and emerging relations with Asian countries, the GCC states must also look further towards Africa as a future essential economic and political partner. Gulf companies have been showing greater interest in investing in Africa. According to UNCTAD World Investment Report 2007, Foreign Direct Investments to Africa amounted to $36 billion in 2006 which was a new record level. It appears that the main reasons for this surge especially in extractive industries, is due to the Gulf investments besides the ones made by China. Another striking example of the growing relationship between the Gulf States and Africa is well illustrated by the amount of aid the Gulf region sends every year. By 2006, close to $1.4 billion out of the $2.2 billion capital of the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA) had been donated by the GCC states, showing a true commitment to the development of Africa.

Given that the Gulf-Africa relations are still in their beginning stages, it is necessary to provide a solid foundation on which the emerging issues that will determine the scope and direction of ties can be examined. The Gulf-Africa Strategy Forum 2009 will thus also identify the future economic sectors which will become the center of Gulf investments as well as highlight the need for a an examination of related security and political issues related to a more prosperous relationship.

About Cape Town

Cape Town is the Mother City of Africa, and the Western Cape, an area which is regarded as one of the most beautiful regions in the world. The City is a rare cultural gem who enjoys a beautiful nature. Furthermore, Cape Town and the Western Cape just received the 2008 best destination in Africa award, were elected the 2004 best city in Africa, in 2002 were named the 8th most creative city in the world and to boot, is a world class events destination.