Ghana's Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, left Accra last night for Dubai, United Arab Emirates, to attend the 2017 edition of the Global Business Forum on Africa.

The Forum, organized by the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry, is under the theme “Next Generation Africa” and will take place at Dubai’s Madinat Jumeirah from November 1st-2nd, 2017.

The high-profile event, held under the patronage of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, will explore new opportunities to enhance economic cooperation and expand trade and investment ties between the Middle East and Africa.

The two-day forum features a total of 24 sessions that will involve the participation of Heads of State, Ministers and dignitaries, policymakers, CEOs, prominent entrepreneurs, and heads of private banks, as well as UAE government and business leaders.

Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and Mohamed Dewji, Chief Executive Officer, METL Group, Tanzania will be discussing the topic “Industrialisation - the path to growth?”

The Vice President will also partake in a number of sessions, meet potential investors and the Ghanaian community in Dubai.

Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia will also hold private meetings with a number of former and current Heads of State including Paul Kagame of Rwanda, Marcel de Souza, President of the ECOWAS Commission, and Festus Mogae, former President of Botswana.

The President and CEO, Dubai Chamber, Hamad Buamim, said: “African economies are witnessing remarkable growth at the moment, offering exciting business opportunities in a wide range of sectors. Therefore, it is an ideal time to examine these trends in more detail and determine how Dubai can play a greater role in facilitating Africa’s future growth.”

The Global Business Forum series, launched by Dubai Chamber in 2012, focuses on Africa, the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and Latin America.

To date, the series has hosted 10 Heads of State, 74 Ministers and dignitaries, and 5,400 executives, as well as a host of influential decision makers from 65 countries around the world.

The previous Global Business Forum on Africa in Dubai attracted more than 1,000 participants, while more than 100 bilateral investment meetings were held during the event.

The Vice President returns to Accra on Friday November 3, 2017.