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34Jul•Aug•Sep 2012Inside SBFplayers exist in the sector,there are still huge marketsto be serviced, whichSingapore companies (inthe marine and logisticssectors) are especiallywell placed to tap into.”Offshore and marineservices companyGolden Anchor ShippingAgencies also has the samesentiments and has signedan MOU with Congoleselogistics firm Samariti tosupply vessels and shippingequipment to Pointe-Noire.SBF’s Africa BusinessGroup (AfBG) organisedthe business mission led byMr Zainul Abidin Rasheed,former Senior Minister ofState for Foreign Affairs,and Advisor to SBF’s AfBG.The delegation, whichcomprised 27 participantsfrom 23 companies, alsoheld business networkingsessions and meetingswith the Pointe-NoireChamber of Commerce,and visited the PortAuthority of Pointe-Noireand Banque CommercialeInternationale (BCI Bank).SBF IS CONDUCTINGITS FIRST-EVERVISIT TO THECOUNTRIES OFZambia &Zimbabwe– TWO OF AFRICA’SFASTEST-GROWINGECONOMIES WHICHREGISTERED6.7% & 6%GDP GROWTHRESPECTIVELY IN 2011.WHAT’S NEXT…ZAMBIAZIMBABWEBusiness missionto Zambia andZimbabweLate OctoberSBF’s first-ever visit tothe two southern Africancountries of Zambia andZimbabwe will be takingplace in late October 2012.Zambia and Zimbabwe,with a combinedpopulation size of 25million, are two ofAfrica’s fastest-growingcountries, registering anestimated 6.7% and 6%GDP growth respectivelyin 2011. Economic growthis expected to be furtherboosted by their richnessin mineral wealth and ayouthful consumer market.Both countries aremembers of the SouthernAfrica DevelopmentCommunity and CommonMarket for Easternand Southern Africa,providing access to apotential market sizeof 400 million people.Opportunities fortrade and investment areavailable in key areassuch as minerals andmining, agriculture,infrastructure, transport,logistics as well as thefast-moving consumergoods sector.For more information,contact Alvyn Lim atalvyn.lim@sbf.org.sg.Business missionto MongoliaJuly 29 - Aug 4SBF and the MongolianNational Chamber ofCommerce and Industryare organising a businessmission to Ulaanbaatarin Mongolia. The totaltrade turnover betweenthe two countries hasincreased from US$10.7million in 2000 toUS$45.3 million in 2008.There will be sitevisits to the ForeignInvestment and ForeignTrade Agency, APB-MCS-Tiger beer factory andNomin Holdings (a topMongolian retail outlet). Inaddition, participants willmeet up with Mongolianmining companies andthe Mongolia Trade andDevelopment Bank.They will also visitprominent Singaporecompanies with a strongpresence in Mongoliato learn about thelocal operations as wellas abundant businessopportunities that haveunfolded in the countryover the past few years.For enquiries, contact DeliaWu at 6827-6849 or e-maildelia.wu@sbf.org.sg.Business mission toEthiopia and DjiboutiSept 1-8SBF’s Africa BusinessGroup is organising abusiness mission toEthiopia and Djibouti inSeptember this year. Thisis the apex chamber’s firstvisit to the Horn of Africaand the mission will coverEthiopian capital AddisAbaba and Djibouti City.As one of the world’sfastest-growing economies,Ethiopia holds a populationof close to 82 million,making it one of thelargest markets in Africa.The country’s economyis primarily based onagriculture, which accountsfor 41% of GDP. With thegovernment’s approvalof the five-year Growthand TransformationPlan in October 2010,Ethiopia is pressingahead with developmentplans and vast prospectsare presented in theagricultural, industrial andinfrastructural sectors.Opportunities fortrade and investment arepresent in key areas suchas agriculture, transport,logistics, infrastructureand the fast-movingconsumer goods sector.For more information,contact Sarah Wong atsarah.wong@sbf.org.sg.