Mbeki looks for business support
22 June 2005
President Thabo Mbeki has suggested that leaders at the upcoming G8 summit should not only forgive African debt, but also make resources available to allow African nations to access global investment funds.
He said that the leaders needed to act decisively to "erase the ugly scar of poverty and underdevelopment" from Africa.
Addressing delegates at the fourth World Chambers Congress in Durban, Mbeki called on business leaders to deliver a common message to G8 leaders, who will be meeting in Scotland in July.
"We should also communicate a common message that it is in the interest of international business to ensure market access for developing countries because this will accelerate the necessary growth of entrepreneurship and business in these developing countries," Mbeki said.
He also stressed that the G8 should agree to a timetable to do away with agricultural subsidies.
Every year, the International Chamber of Commerce delivers
a statement on behalf of world business to the heads of state and government attending the annual G8 summit.
This year Africa will be high on the agenda at the summit, to be hosted by Britain. British Prime Minister Tony Blair has indicated that he wants to double aid to Africa.
This is the second time this month that Mbeki has addressed a business audience about the importance of the G8 summit. In Cape Town he told delegates at the World Economic Forum's Africa Summit 2005 that there was a consensus among G8 nations that African debt relief was necessary.
Held every two years, the World Chambers Congress is attended by business leaders from around the world. This year's conference, hosted by the Durban Chamber of Commerce and the World Chambers Federation, has attracted more than 1 500 delegates from over 100 countries.
The conference runs until 22 June.
SouthAfrica.info reporter
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