GoJ/UNDP/WBG: Hold the Fifth Africa-Asia Bussiness Forum (AABF V) in the early part of 2009
UNIDO/UNWTO: Provide technical cooperation for the organizaion of AABF V

Yokohama Action Plan: [2]Promote the exchange of people, trade and investment and services to strengthen the ties between Asia and Africa.

Proposed Measures by Japan/Implementing Partners: ● Promote Asia-Africa cooperation, as well as Japan/Africa/Africa tri-angular cooperation

Potential Resources, Possible Contributions: GoJ/UNDP/WBG:Hold the Fifth Africa-Asia Bussiness Forum (AABF V), facilitated by capacity building component of the African SMEs and the banking sector, in the early part of 2009
UNIDO/UNWTO: Provide technical cooperation for the organizaion of AABF V

Related Links: GoJ (MOFA)/JICA: (i) Hold seminars in Japan or in third countries and (ii) help Asian countries dispatch experts to Africa out of GoJ/JICA Budget
GoJ/UNV: Dispatch Asian Volunteers to Africa (2006-2008: $ 1.65 million)
WBG: Promote knowledge sharing between African countries and emerging partners in Asia, and seek co-financing in African countries from Asian partners

Status: On-going
(i) Under the theme of “Forging Business Linkages for Sustainable Tourism Development in Africa”, AABF V was held on 15-17 June 2009 in Kampala, Uganda.
(ii) 349 participants in total gathered from 29 African countries and 6 countries in Asia and Middle East, representing business, government, international organizations, civil society and the media.
(iii) 29 MoUs and partnership arrangements were concluded for a total value of US$ 245.43 million, breaking the value recorded in a single AABF in the past (see more details).
(iv) As a follow-up, a preparation is on-going to organize an Africa-Asia Investment Facilitation Seminar with emphasis on BoP business promotion, OVOP and value-chain development.
(v) The TICAD study on tourism was included on the agenda of the Pan-African Tourism Investment Summit organized by Africa Investor, a leading international investment research and communications group and held from February 15 to 17, 2009, in Harare, Zimbabwe. Leaflets were disseminated extensively, incorporating a quote attributed to UNDP Goodwill Ambassador Didier Drogba: “Let’s work together and harness the collective strength of the TICAD initiative to accelerate the achievement of the MDGs in Africa through tapping into the vast travel and tourism potential of the continent”

Status: (i) At the TICAD Co-organisers’ Meeting and the TICAD Co-organisers + ADC Meeting, it was agreed that AABF V will be held between May and June 2009 in Africa, focusing on the tourism promotion in Africa.
(ii) Capacity Development Workshops on (a) “Investment Project Formulation and Appraisal for SME Entrepreneur in Africa” and (b) “SME Financing for Banking Sector in Africa” were successfully held by UNDP in Nigeria in April and in Uganda in Nov 2008, as a follow-up to AABF IV and in preparation for AABF V.

More information: http://www.ticadexchange.org/index.php?id=115
http://www.ticadexchange.org/index.php?id=116

GoJ/UNDP/WBG: Hold the Fifth Africa-Asia Bussiness Forum (AABF V) in the early part of 2009UNIDO/UNWTO: Provide technical cooperation for the organizaion of AABF V