EAC
Saturday, June 21, 2014
Peace and stability critical in attracting investment
ARUSHA, Tanzania - TheThe critical importance of peace and stability came up in discussions at the Great Lakes Private Sector Investment Roundtable Dialogue in Addis Ababa.
They said peace and stability were critical in attracting investments in the Great Lakes Region. He said the involvement of the government and the United Nations is extremely crucial.
H.E. Hallemariam Dessalegn, Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia was the guest of honour at the official opening of the Roundtable Dialogue.
Sezibera, said the need for corporate activities and responsible investment to advance the cause of peace, stability, prosperity and inclusive growth in the Great Lakes region is critical.
He said: “Within International Conference of the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR), the focus is now shifting to investment, this is a major achievement we should all celebrate.”
Sezibera said targeted investments, during periods of conflict, or in the immediate aftermath, were crucial to ending the conflicts and promoting rapid return to normality and stability.
He said promoting cross border investments and ensuring tthe benefits of growth are efficiently harnessed and equitably shared are part of the inclusive growth. “Failure to master this imperative is largely the reason behind the endless conflict, we have witnessed in the region for years. We must think differently about investment. We ne ed to think and act regionally and put in place policies that allow for these cross border investments.”
He said the ICGLR Region offers immense opportunities for infrastructure, given the Multibillion dollar infrastructure gap and that gap was compounded by a very real skills gap.
Sezibera said Governments and the Private Sector need to make sure skills development was a key component of any major infrastructure investment decision and contracts. “Investments in skill development in the region are not a social, benevolent affair on behalf of the Governments. It is critical for sustainable responsible investments.”
The dialogue featured a panel of prominent business people, development and investment leaders who shared their ideas on the ways in which corporate activities and responsible investment can advance peace, stability, prosperity and economic development in the Great Lakes region.
Examples of successful business and investment practices bring value financially and in social, environmental and ethical terms were highlighted and discussed. The panelists also shared their views as to how public-private collaboration can contribute to the realization of a shared, secure and sustainable future in the Great Lakes region.
Other speakers included; Mary Robinson, Special Envoy of the UN Secretary-General for the Great Lakes Region; Mark Moody-Stuart, Chairman, Hermes Equity Ownership Services and Vice-Chair, UN Global Compact Board; Elias Masilela, Chief Executive Officer, Public Investment Corporation; Modibo I. Touré, Assistant Secretary-General and Special Adviser, Office of the Special Envoy of the UN Secretary-General for the Great Lakes Region; and Georg Kell, Executive Director, United Nations Global Compact.
By Elisha Mayallah, Saturday, June 21st, 2014