The ABC Agbiz Congress 2012 takes place from 5 – 6 June 2012 at the Champagne Sports Resort in the Drakensberg. The congress offers attendees, both members and guests, an abundance of strategic information, as well as plenty of networking opportunities.
This year’s Keynote Speakers are:
Min Gugile Nkwinti, Minister of Rural Development and Land Reform, who will be delivering a keynote address on the “Way Forward with Land Reform in South Africa”; Ms Futhi Mtoba, President of BUSA will follow with an address about the role of BUSA in South Africa’s social dialogue; and Prof Marcos Fava Neves, Market Strategist, University of Sao Paulo, Brazil will be discussing the Future of the Global Food Business.
Dr John Purchase, CEO of the ABC, today said that the current engagement process through the National Reference Group on the Land Reform Green Paper would be critical to South Africa’s future agricultural development and food security. By the beginning of June 2012 Minister Nkwinti will be able to indicate the direction government will be taking on the land reform policy. As identified in the National Development Plan – Vision 2030 – of the National Planning Commission, South Africa faces enormous challenges with regard to poverty, inequality and unemployment.
Ms Mtoba will address the position organised business in South Africa, through Business Unity South Africa (BUSA), has taken in its engagement with government to ensure investment confidence, shared economic growth and job creation in the economy.
Prof Marcos Fava Neves is a world-renown expert on the global food business and can rightly be termed the father of the very competitive Brazilian food chains we see today. He will indicate to South Africa what the latest trends in the global food business are and what needs to be done for South Africa to remain competitive in the global food business, and so grow its agro-food value chains.
Other featured speakers at this year’s congress are:
Mr Rudolf Gouws, former Head Economist of Rand Merchant Bank, will provide an analysis of the economic situation in South Africa and globally, and what government and business need to do to ensure economic growth.
Prof Mohammad Karaan, Commissioner of the National Planning Commission and Dean of the Faculty of AgriSciences at the University of Stellenbosch, will address the issue of rural development and agriculture in the National Development Plan.
Prof André Jooste, Head of MERC within the National Agricultural Marketing Council (NAMC), will provide analysis of the main agro-food value chains in South Africa and indicate the opportunities these present for investment and growth.
Mr Etsko Schuitema, CEO of the Schuitema Human Excellence Group, will speak on managing your most important asset within your business, your personnel.
Dr John Purchase, CEO of the ABC, will address the recently gazetted AgriBEE Sector Codes and the implications these hold for industry, while Ms Lindie Stroebel, ABC Manager for Economic Intelligence and Finance, will report on the ABC’s recent B-BBEE Survey amongst its members.
Experts in major financial institutions will lead a panel discussion on Agribusiness Opportunities and Investment in Africa.
Panelists are:
- Mr Mohit Arora, Director for Agriculture – Africa, Standard Bank.
- Dr Hans Balyamujura, General Manager: AgriBusiness, ABSA Business Bank.
- Mr Zhann Meyer, Head: Africa Agribusiness, Nedbank.
For more information on registering for the congress, please visit http://www.agbiz.co.za/
