Commonwealth Representatives to Focus on ICT Investments for Development at Global Summit for Emerging Markets

Friday, 03 December 2010 01:00  |  James Barton

Information and Communications Technology provides the building blocks to build societies and fuel economic growth. However, for successful implementation, investment partnerships must be established across the international community. In joining forces, The Commonwealth Telecom Organization and BroadGroup TMT Ventures are organising a compelling content-rich ICT Finance Emerging Markets Global Summit 2010 from the 6-7 December 2010 at the BIS Conference Centre in London. Focusing on “Developing ICT Investment Partnerships for Emerging Markets Globally”, the two-day conference will connect key players from government and operator organisations in emerging markets with investors, financiers and professional advisors from the developed and developing countries.

The conference is expected to highlight opportunities for investment in emerging markets and discuss some of the key issues. Speakers at the conference include The Hon Ed Vaizey, MP, Minister of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, UK, Nigel Hickson, Head of Global ICT Policy, UK Department for Business Innovation & Skills, H.E. Ibrahim Ben Kargbo, Minister of Information & Communications, Sierra Leone, Hon. Clive Mullings, from the Office of Prime Minister, Jamaica, Representative of High Commission from Rwanda, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Bangladesh, Dato’ Sri Zamzamzairani Mohd Isa, Managing Director / Group CEO, Telekom Malaysia Berhad, Jeff Molobelo, Chairman, Telkom South Africa, Mr Cameron Rejali, MD products, BT Wholesale, Ahmad Zia Mian, Director General, Office of Utilities Regulation, Jamaica, Michael Hardt, Director, Telecoms Regulation Strategy, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, and Simon Holden, Managing Director, Global Co-Head of TMT, Goldman Sachs International, besides others.

Leading merger and acquisition advisers and practitioners, such as Goldman Sachs International, Citi, and Emergent Telecom Ventures, are also expected to discuss the effect of consolidation and likely impact of telecom M&A in emerging markets. Telecom bankers, financial directors and advisers, Milbank, Herbert Smith, Standard Bank, RBS, Emerging Africa Infrastructure Fund (EAIF), and ING Bank, will debate the latest options for raising finance from local and international markets. Representatives from leading regulatory bodies of developing countries, including the  Office of Utilities Regulation, Jamaica, Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA), National Telecommunications Commission of Sierra Leone, the Nigerian Communications Commission, the Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA), the Uganda Communications Commission, the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) Universal Services and Access Funds, USAASA (The Universal Service and Access Agency of South Africa) and African Universal Service and Access Fund Association (AUSAFA), will debate policy requirements and highlight new opportunities for partnership and telecoms growth and investment in emerging markets. 

“The conference is well-suited for investors and businesses looking to capitalize on the enormous reservoirs of untapped opportunities in the growing ICT emerging markets”, said Mr. Bashir Patel, Director of Programmes and Business Development of CTO. “There are limitless investment opportunities for investors. Likewise developing countries can benefit from penetration of these development investments through long-term finance.”

Mr. Patel went on to say that there is an imbalance within the ICT communities of the developed and developing countries, “This imbalance can only be corrected through sound policies, reliable infrastructure and mutual collaboration between the public and private sectors. The CTO will also be outlining its own initiative of establishing a Commonwealth Telecom Development Fund (CTDF) with the support and commitment of its members. Such conferences help to bring related ICT stakeholders on a single platform where they can establish tactical and strategic partnerships, and deliberate on future joint ventures.”

A telecom leadership roundtable, covering growth strategies for regional markets and led by regional telecom CXOs from BT, Coral Telecom, Mi Fone, Telkom SA, Telekom Malaysia Berhad, the Sudan Telecommunication Company Limited, Mobitel, Kemilinks Int, PowerHouse Global Ltd., SGS International and Eaton Telecom, will outline strategies for expansion and discuss opportunities for joint ventures and mergers for growing revenues in different markets.

More info:

• www.cto.int

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