UK-Liberia Investment Forum, June 2011

On 15th June 2011, at Drapers’ Hall, London, Developing Markets Associates in conjunction with the Embassy of Liberia hosted the UK-Liberia Investment Forum 2011.

This landmark event was attended by over 300 delegates including key stakeholders and high level representatives from both the public and private sectors. Opening remarks were made by Atam Sandhu, Chief Executive of Developing Markets Associates. Baroness Lynda Chalker, Chairman, Africa Matters Ltd introduced HE Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, President of the Republic of Liberia who gave an inspirational opening address to the conference and set the mood of the day.

The conference was further addressed by senior members of President Sirleaf’s Government including Hon DrToga McIntosh, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Government of the Republic of Liberia, Hon Roosevelt Jayjay, Minister of Lands, Mines & Energy, Government of the Republic of Liberia and HE Ambassador Wesley M Johnson, Liberian Ambassador to the UK. Other distinguished speakers from both the private and public sectors included John Dennis, Head of Africa Department, Foreign & Commonwealth Office, O Natty B Davis, Chairman, National Investment Commission, Jamal Zayid, Chief Country Economist, African Development Bank, Takhani Kromah, Country Director (Liberia), African Petroleum, Michael Frayne, Executive Chairman, Equatorial Palm Oil, and Sylva Ashimole,Vice Chairman, Liberian Bankers Association amongst others. Sessions were chaired by David Belgrove, United Kingdom Counsellor, Liberia, Baroness Lynda Chalker, Chairman, Africa Matters Limited, and Atam Sandhu, Chief Executive, Developing Markets Associates.

Following the closing remarks, the day was rounded off with an outdoor drinks reception.

PROGRAMME
The UK-Liberia Investment Forum 2011:
Enhancing Economic Growth through Competitiveness, Diversification and Infrastructure Development
London, 15th June 2011

8.00am – 9.00am
Registration and refreshments

9.00am – 9.15am
Welcome addresses and opening comments
Atam Sandhu, Chief Executive, Developing Markets Associates John Dennis, Head of Africa Department, Foreign & Commonwealth Office Baroness Lynda Chalker, Chairman, Africa Matters Limited HE Ambassador Wesley M Johnson, Liberian Ambassador to the UK Hon Dr Toga McIntosh, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Government of the Republic of Liberia

9.15am – 9.30am
Opening Address
HE Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, President, Government of the Republic of Liberia

9.30am – 11.00am
Session 1: Setting the Scene – from Dependency to Self-sufficiency
Chair: Mr David Belgrove, United Kingdom Counsellor, Liberia
• O Natty B Davis, Chairman, National Investment Commission
• Joseph Matthews, Arcelor Mittal
• Robert McKendrick, Executive Chairman, Capital Mining / AgriCapital
• Jamal Zayid, Chief Country Economist, African Development Bank
• Sylva Ashimole, Vice Chairman, Liberian Bankers Association
Q & A session

11.00am – 11.30am
Refreshments break

11.30am – 1.00pm
Session 2: Energy
Chair: Baroness Lynda Chalker, Chairman, Africa Matters Limited
• Hon Roosevelt Jayjay, Minister of Lands, Mines & Energy, Government of the Republic of Liberia
• Hon. Christopher Neyor, President & CEO, NOCAL
• Karl Thompson, CEO & Adrian Robinson, Exploration Director, African Petroleum
• Jim Steele, Chief Executive Officer, Buchanan Renewables
• Hassan Hassan, Founder, Simba Energy
Q & A session

1.00pm – 2.30pm
Networking lunch

2.30pm – 4.30pm
Session 3: Natural Resources and Infrastructure
Chair – Atam Sandhu, Chief Executive, Developing Markets Associates
• Hon Roosevelt Jayjay, Minister of Lands, Mines & Energy, Government of the Republic of Liberia
• Michael Frayne, Executive Chairman, Equatorial Palm Oil
• Geoff Eyre, Chief Executive Officer, AmLib
• David Reading, President & CEO Aureus Mining
• Luis da Silva, President & CEO, Afferro Mining
• Fred Bass-Golakeh, Board Director, NOCAL
Q & A session

4.30pm – 5.00pm
Closing Remarks
Hon Roosevelt Jayjay, Minister of Lands, Mines & Energy, Government of the Republic of Liberia and Baroness Lynda Chalker, Chairman, Africa Matters Limited

5.00pm – 7.00pm
Gala reception