Investing in the future

The Agricultural Business Chamber (ABC) of South Africa will be hosting its biennial Congress at the beautiful Champagne Sports Resort in the Drakensberg, KwaZulu-Natal, on 5 and 6 June 2012.

The theme of the 2012 Congress is “Investing in the future”, and the congress will address the strategic challenges of the macro-economic landscape, competitiveness and opportunities in the global agro-food system, transformation and land reform, business interaction with government on policy and legislation, local and international socio-political power dynamics, as well as provide an outlook on agricultural commodities and resources.

This prestigious congress is one of the major events on the food, feed, fibre and wine sectors’ agenda of South Africa.

Congress delegates consist of the CEO’s, senior executives and board members of the majority of South African agribusinesses. The agribusiness turnover of members of the ABC is in excess of R200 billion per annum, making it not only a major role player and stakeholder in the agricultural sector of South Africa, but also in the economy of South Africa as a whole.

The event is one of the premier agribusiness networking opportunities where business leaders and policy makers meet to shape the future of the South African agricultural sector. Non-members are most welcome to attend and benefit from the strategic deliberations and networking opportunities.

Programme

The programme is specifically designed to deliver information relevant to our audience and to create critical networking opportunities that will further establish business relationships.

Keynote Speakers

ABC Agbiz Congress 2012 brings you keynote speakers from the highest level:
 
Min Gugile Nkwinti
Minister of Rural Development and Land Reform.
Topic: Way Forward with Land Reform in South Africa.

Ms Futhi Mtoba
President of BUSA.
Topic: The Role of BUSA in South Africa's Social Dialogue.

Prof Marcos Fava Neves
Market Strategist, University of Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Topic: The Future of the Global Food Business.

Speakers and Topics

High-level speakers will be addressing the following hot topics:
 
Fragile Global Economy: Macro-economic Factors Impacting on South Africa's Growth and Competitiveness
Mr Rudolf Gouws, Former Head Economist, RMB.
 
The Role of the National Development Plan - Vision 2030 in Shaping South African Agriculture and Agribusiness
Prof Mohammad Karaan, Commissioner of the National Planning Commission and Dean of the Faculty of AgriSciences at the University of Stellenbosch.
 
Status of AgriBEE Sector Code and Impact of New B-BBEE Legislation on Agribusiness
Dr John Purchase, ABC CEO.
 
Status of B-BBEE Implementation in Agribusiness Sector
Ms Lindie Stroebel, ABC Manager Economic Intelligence and Finance.
 
Analysis of South African Agro-food Value Chains
Prof André Jooste, Head of MERC, NAMC.
  
Panel Discussion

Experts in major financial institutions will lead a panel discussion on Agribusiness Opportunities and Investment in Africa.
Panelists:
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.

Download the congress schedule by clicking here

Registration:
Members R1600 (Excl. VAT)
Non-Members R2000 (Excl. VAT)
The registration fee includes welcoming function, refreshments at congress, lunch on 1st day of congress, gala dinner, congress material, participation in all sessions of the congress, a congress bag and excellent speakers. Accommodation and transport fees are not included.
Please register before 10 May 2012.

Venue:
Champagne Sports Resort
R600 Central Berg Road
Champagne Valley
Winterton

Accommodation:
Group reservations for congress delegates and accompanying guests have been made at special discount rates at the Champagne Sports Resort. Reservations should be made directly with the hotel. To benefit from the special discount rate, just mention that you are a congress delegate of the ABC Agbiz Congress 2012. You are kindly asked to make your reservation at your earliest convenience but no later than 28 March 2012. There is no guarantee that the special rates will still be available beyond this date.

To make your room reservation online please use the online booking form.

For bookings by telephone, or for any other queries about reservations, please contact the Reservations & Banqueting Co-ordinator, Nomvuyo Lugomo, at telephone number 036 468 8093.