Wharton School

Wharton School Global Business Forum To Host Concurrent Conferences On Africa, Asia, Europe, India, and Latin America
Featured Speakers Include Katsuaki Tsurushima, sr. executive vice president of Sony Corp.

November 8, 2004 — The Wharton Global Business Forum — five concurrent regional conferences to be held Nov. 18-20 — will feature business, academic and political leaders from Africa, Asia, Europe, India, and Latin America. Organized by students at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, the conferences will address issues ranging from reversing the African brain-drain and the resurgence of the Japanese economy to transatlantic business opportunities for European businesses and India’s role in global commerce. The conferences will occur at various locations in Philadelphia.

Concurrent Conferences:

Africa: “Business in Africa: New Game New Rules” Nov. 20
In addition to an African Business Plan Competition, speakers will provide insight about how government policies, capital and labor market depth, quality and technology are transforming the business landscape and driving change in Africa. Issues to be discussed include the challenges facing African multinational corporations, the creation, sustenance and transfer of wealth amongst Africans, the mechanisms reversing the African brain-drain syndrome and also the viability of Africa as an outsourcing destination. Speakers include Eugene Nyagahene, CEO and founder of Tele-10 Rwanda, Adebayo Ogunlesi, executive vice chairman of Credit Suisse First Boston, Folusho Phillips, CEO of Phillips Consulting Group, and Elias Pungong, partner at PriceWaterhouse Coopers Oil and Gas Division, Gabon.

Asia: “Leading Change & Driving Growth” Nov. 20
Asia appears to be one of the world's most dynamic regions and a powerhouse for global economic growth. This year’s conference reflects the growing presence of Asia as a driving force on the global front. Resurgence of the Japanese economy, regional investment trends and growth potential are just some of the issues to be explored. Speakers include Tom Manning, director of Bain & Company, Weishu Chen, vice chairman of Shanghai Industrial Investment Co., Kenneth Koo, chief of staff and former COO of corporate/investment banking (Asia-Pacific) at Citigroup, Katsuaki Tsurushima, senior executive vice president of Sony Corporation, Masatsugu Nagato, managing executive officer and head of the Americas for Mizuho Corporate Bank, and Takashi Hatchoji, senior vice president and executive officer at Hitachi.

Europe: “2004: Raising the Curtain Over a New Europe” Nov. 19
In the context of tense transatlantic relations and a European Union whose recent enlargement seems to jeopardize stability, the conference will focus on the economic perspective and medium to long-term business opportunities. Prominent speakers, including Jean-Francois Boittin, France’s minister delegate in Washington for economic and commercial affairs, Elena Poptodorova, ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary of the Republic of Bulgaria to the U.S., Thomas Puetter, CEO of Allianz Capital Partners, Jean-Pierre Rosso, board member of Medtronic, Eurazeo Holding and former member of President Bush's Advisory Committee on Trade, Harvey Sawikin, founder of the Firebird Fund, and Diane Sias, head of post-merger integration practice at McKinsey & Co., will reflect on current business issues shaping and shaking Europe.

India: “The Dawn of an Indian Century?” Nov. 18-19
In the past fiscal year India has witnessed unprecedented growth in sectors like biotechnology, media, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, and information technology. Due to changing economic and political environment, India is emerging as a key player in global commerce. The conference will feature India's richest businesswoman, Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, British parliamentarian, Lord Meghnad Desai, and the vice chairman of one of the world's largest outsourcing companies, Wipro-Vivek Paul. There will be panel discussions on topics such as healthcare, outsourcing, media and entertainment, development, finance, and corporate success stories.

Latin America: “Towards Growth & Development” Nov. 19
The event will cover topics ranging from the challenges of entering the U.S. market and investments in the region to the growing political and economic power of the U.S. Latino population. Speakers include John A. Boord, head of Latin America Investment Banking for Citigroup Inc. in Venezuela, Luis Miguel Palomino Bonilla, board director at Southern Peru Copper Corp., José Raul Pérez, commercial marketing director for People En Espanol (Time Inc.) in Cuba, and Ivar Pettersson, vice president of technology and commercial services of C.A. Electricidad de Caracas.