Local film producer, Anant Singh is among the South African delegates attending the 23rd World Economic Forum on Africa which is currently underway at the Cape Town International Convention Centre. Singh participated in the session, “Made In Africa” earlier this afternoon with Xavier-Luc Duval (Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Mauritius), Jubril Adewale Tinubu (Group Chief Executive, Oando Plc), Robyn Curnow (CNN Africa Correspondent), Rich Lesser (Global Chief Executive and President, The Boston Consulting Group) and Tabitha M. Karanja (Chief Executive, Keroche Breweries Ltd).
The session which was developed by the Forum in partnership with CNN, explored how Africa could tap into local innovation to launch globally recognised brands, while looking at the key issues which the continent faces, i.e. access to regional and global markets, removal of supply chain barriers and achieving quality standards.
Singh, who has just completed production on the film adaptation of Nelson Mandela’s autobiography, Long Walk To Freedom, is recognised as Africa’s leading film producer. He highlighted the potential of the creative sector to make a meaningful contribution to Africa’s economic growth and said, “Africa currently contributes less than 1% to the global creative economy. The United Nations has identified the huge potential of the creative sectors in developing countries, and Africa needs to urgently address challenges, and take advantages of the opportunities. The creative and cultural economies have now become leading sectors in the developed world, but not yet in Africa. The continent must harness this potential and create economic value that will have an enduring benefit for its people.”
Commenting on the Forum, Singh said, “The Forum presented an ideal opportunity to further the collaboration between South Africa and other African countries producing content, especially Nigeria. It is encouraging to note that Africa’s potential as the driver of economic growth is finally being acknowledged by the rest of the world. This is clear from the large number of delegates attending the Forum from African countries, North America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia. Multinationals have finally recognised that Africa is the place to invest and benefit from the future economic growth our continent brings. For me personally, it is really exciting to be attending the 23rd WEF on Africa which, judging from the large number of delegates, has turned out to be the best attended ever. Congratulations to Prof Klaus Schwab and his team on yet another successful Forum event.”
The World Economic Forum on Africa ends tomorrow, 10 May 2013.
