Held on behalf of the nine SADC member states, including Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe, the event will take place from 20 to 22 October, 2008.

According to the department, the conference is expected to raise awareness about the region's significant investment opportunities and market a portfolio of uniquely packaged tourism opportunities in the seven existing Trans-Frontier Conservation Areas (TFCAs).

"The region has 53 packaged investment opportunities in the various countries through its TFCAs.

"They range from small and medium lodge type developments to multi-million rand developments such as the Kavango-Zambesi Waterfront Development," said the department.

The seven conservation areas include Ai Ais/Richtersveld, Kgalagadi, Kavango-Zambezi, Limpopo-Shashe, Great Limpopo, Lubombo and Maloti-Drakensberg.

The conference will provide a platform for potential investors to meet and network with product owners, government authorities and decision-makers.

It is further aimed at private and institutional investors, property developers, investment holding companies, hotel management groups, commercial and investment banks, conservation agencies and donor organisations.

The three-day event will focus on and provide an overview of the current investment climate, potential investments in the TFCAs and demand models, and the tender processes for each of the countries.

Article published courtesy of BuaNews.