3rd Annual Eritrean Trade & Investment Forum held in London

Eritrea – 3rd Annual Trade & Investment Forum held London UK

On the Occasion of the 19th Anniversary of Independence

On Thursday 20th May, the Eritrea Trade and Investment Working Group of the Embassy (ETIWG) held the 3rd Annual Trade and Investment Forum on the occasion of the 19th Anniversary of Independence at the Middle East Association in London.

The event was attended by His Excellency Ambassador Gerahtu, tourism and mining companies and travel writers that included heads and representatives of Andiamo Mining Company, London Africa Mining, Mineral Resources plc in Cardiff, South East England Development Agency and Dunira Tourism Strategy.

The aim of the event was to create an effective platform for communication and information sharing for existing and potential investors and establish wider engagement to promote Eritrea as trade and investment destination in the United Kingdom. Mining firms already operating in Eritrea as well as potential investors who have expressed a keen interest in exploring the lucrative opportunities that lay forth were involved in the event as well as others with interest in the Tourism sector.

Following a short introduction the event was kicked off with a presentation by ETIWG to outline its role in promoting investment in Eritrea as well as to set out its goals and challenges for 2010/11. In summary the group’s aim to actively identify and build relationships with potential investors as well nurture and solidify the relationship with existing partners was hailed as an important beginning in raising the investment profile of Eritrea. In effect, in the future the group will act as a bridge between the Embassy and investors so as to ensure a smoother facilitation of the Investment life cycle.

On the occasion, HE Ambassador Gerahtu outlined the current investment policy and potential in Eritrea and highlighted the opportunities and incentives that exist for those willing to participate in the current investment influx taking place in Eritrea.

Following a short DVD presentation on tourism and Eritrea’s development endeavors presentations by the mining companies currently operating in Eritrea i.e. Andiamo and London Africa Mining and Dunira Tourism, were also made on the occasion.

With over 10 years experience operating in Eritrea and regarded as a friend of Eritrea, Andiamo’s CEO Dr Tim Williams provided a detailed reflection of his experiences in the country. He was able to state unreservedly from a geologist’s perspective the huge potential that Eritrea offers in terms of its mineral resources in comparison to other countries in the region. He also asserted that Eritrea has created a conducive environment for investment in terms of its advanced mining code as well as its commitment to building a long term partnership with these mining firms based on mutual trust. He further gave detailed explanation on the positive contribution the mining sector is to make in the emerging Eritrean economy.

The CEO of London Africa, Mr Lester Kemp also spoke positively of his experiences both in terms of the exploration results they have recently submitted as well as the help and support they have received from the relevant bodies in Eritrea. He was also quick to emphasize the huge mineral resources (Gold, copper and zinc amongst other minerals) that await exploration. Both companies expressed their support to the effort going on by the Embassy to promote Eritrea as an investment destination.

The CEO of Dunira Tourism Strategy Benjamin Carey also made a very interesting presentation that highlighted the huge potential of the tourism sector in Eritrea. The brief focused on the need of creating a viable, long term tourism strategy that will ensure sustainable economic growth whilst protecting the social, cultural and environmental aspects. An interesting point raised was concerning on how to create synergy between the mining and tourism sectors and ways to identify common areas that both sectors will be interested in developing. An example of this is the development of an energy sector that will be able to sustain both sectors.

Following a short discussion on the future of Tourism and Mining, there was a general consensus amongst all the guests that the investment climate in Eritrea both in terms of the geological/tourism resources and the positive steps taken by the government to welcome investors will ensure a conducive environment for investment. In addition it was agreed that there will be continuous engagement with the investors and ETIWG in the aim of exploring avenues to further enhance the current relationships as well as to involve the investment partners in economic lobbying on behalf of Eritrea. The participants from the various companies and enterprises committed themselves to be at the forefront of raising the image of Eritrea as an important destination for tourism and investment in general.

Embassy Trade and Investment Working Group (ETIWG)

Embassy of the State of Eritrea London – United Kingdom

96 White Lion Street, London N1 9PF

Tel: +20 7713 0096

Fax: +20 7713 0161

e-mail: etiwg@eriembauk.com

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