By ; Adel Farig
The Global Business Forum Africa (GBF Africa 2019) in Dubai concluded on November 19th with a call from African and UAE government and business leaders to bolster bilateral economic ties and capitalise on new business opportunities emerging across the continent.
More than 2,500 delegates from 76 countries attended the fifth edition of GBF Africa, including presidents of Liberia and Zimbabwe, the prime ministers of Mozambique and Uganda, as well as ministers, policymakers and prominent businessmen, who shared their insights on Africa’s evolving economic landscape.
A total of 350 bilateral business meetings were held on the sidelines of the two-day forum, marking a 75 percent increase compared to the previous edition. Sessions during the event covered a wide range of key issues and trends impacting African economies, including the shift towards regional integration following the launch of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), advanced technologies reshaping the government and business spheres and the role of startups and cross-border cooperation in driving the continent’s next phase of growth.
GBF Africa 2019 was organised by Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry under the theme Scale-Up Africa, building on its legacy as the most important event of its kind in the region which aims to nurture and expand UAE-Africa trade links.
Hamad Buamim, President & CEO of Dubai Chamber, said: “The fifth edition of GBF Africa exceeded our expectations and achieved its objectives, while the forum saw a 67 percent increase in attendance compared to the previous edition, reflecting growing confidence in Dubai as a preferred hub for African companies.”
He noted that Dubai Chamber is preparing to host the largest and most comprehensive GBF Africa to date at Expo 2020 Dubai, adding that the next edition of the forum will offer an ideal platform for African businesses to boost their global profile and explore new growth opportunities.
