Durban, Johannesburg; 21 June 2010 - Africa investor (Ai), a leading international investment research and communications group, and the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Agriculture, Environmental Affairs and Rural Development are pleased to announce that the 2010 Africa investor Agribusiness Projects Summit will take place from August 31 to September 1 in Durban, South Africa.

Investment in agriculture, support for emerging farmers, and increasing rural development and infrastructure are high on the agenda of the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Agriculture. The Summit will therefore profile African investment opportunities in agribusiness to the investment community, as well as bring farmers, investors and rural entrepreneurs together to maximise effective government spending in agricultural development. In attendance will be key government officials, top agribusiness players, national and international potential investors and other important players in the agriculture industry.

The Agribusiness Investment Summit will provide critical insights into the future of South Africa’s agricultural sector. The Summit will deliver a venue for the business and development community to advance Africa’s many agribusiness investment programmes through open networking sessions and dynamic panel discussions led by market leading investors, agribusiness project promoters and African Ministers of Agriculture. Topics to be discussed include agro-processing, trade and export finance, value chain investment, attracting private sector investment, infrastructure corridors and the bio-fuels revolution.

Commenting on the Summit, Hubert Danso, Managing Director and Vice Chairman of Africa investor, said: “Africa investor is proud to be hosting this event, alongside the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Agriculture, Environmental Affairs and Rural Development, which will provide insight into the future of agribusiness. The Agribusiness Projects Summit will give government leaders and investors a platform upon which they can engage one another on the continued growth and development of Africa’s vitally important agriculture sector.”

In recognition of the crucial importance agribusiness investment plays in economic development on the continent, Africa investor will also formally recognise achievements across the main agribusiness and finance sectors in Africa, and reward the organisations and personalities driving transactions and improving the continent’s agribusiness investment climate. The Summit will coincide with the prestigious Africa investor Agribusiness Investment Awards, the winners of which will be announced on the 31 August at the Gala Dinner.Africa investor Agribusiness Projects Summit to be held in association with the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Agriculture

Source: Africainvestor