Microsoft International president to speak at Commonwealth Business Forum

Jean-Philippe Courtois, president, Microsoft International, has confirmed he is to address the Commonwealth Business Forum 2005 (CBF 2005), due to take place at Hilton Malta on November 22-24.

Joining the 40-plus high-profile business and political speakers who have already confirmed their participation in the CBF 2005, Mr Courtois will be speaking during the session entitled 'Making Globalisation Work for all - Technology and Development' on November 24.

Mr Courtois leads sales, marketing and services for all regions outside the US, including Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Japan, China and Latin America. With more than 80 subsidiaries around the world, Mr Courtois drives the company's growth through strategic partnerships with private and public sector organisations around the globe.

During his 21 years at Microsoft, he has held several key leadership positions and was previously CEO of Microsoft EMEA, VP of Microsoft Europe, and GM of Microsoft, France. He is also chairman of the World Economic Forum's Global Digital Divide Initiative Task Force.

Other speakers for this year's Business Forum include business speakers such as Shell (UK) chairman John Smith, South Africa's Shanduka Group chairman Cyril Ramaphosa, SNC-Lavalin Group president and CEO Jacques Lamarre, Bajaj Auto chairman Rahul Bajaj, Professor Edward De Bono, Gulf Air president and CEO James Hogan, and PriceWaterhouseCoopers global CEO Sam Di Piazza.

Many top level policymakers will also be speaking at the CBF 2005, and the list includes Pakistan Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, Nigeria's President Olusegun Obasanjo, EU Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson, Gibraltar's Chief Minister Peter Caruana, Commonwealth Secretary General Donald McKinnon, a former Prime Minister of New Zealand, and Secretary of State for International Development Hilary Benn.

The CBF 2005 presents a one-of-a-kind opportunity for business people from the Commonwealth, Europe, the Mediterranean and the Middle East to network, exchange views and develop new business opportunities.

Sectors and topics covered by the forum include international trade and investment, globalisation and competitiveness, international travel, commercial transportation and international distribution, export manufacturing, banking and financial services, ICT and business process outsourcing.

Specifically planned to coincide with the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), next month, the theme of the 2005 Forum is 'The Commonwealth, Europe and the Mediterranean - Window on Business Opportunities'.

The potential of the Forum to increase exposure and business opportunities was immediately recognised by a number of leading Maltese companies and organisations, who will be supporting the event through sponsorship and strategic partnership agreements.

HSBC Malta and Malta Enterprise are two of the principle sponsors, and BoV, Maltacom, Farsons, PriceWaterhouseCoopers, FIMBank, the Malta Maritime Authority, the Malta Financial Services Authority and the Malta Tourism Authority are all supporting the event.

Registering for CBF

Delegate booking for the forum has already begun, and Maltese delegates are encouraged to book early. To book go to www.cbcglobelink.org/cbf2005 and follow the instructions for registrations.

Your booking will entitle you to attend all sessions of the forum, focused networking lunches on all three days, two gala dinners and access to CBF networking opportunities.

Spouses are welcome to attend the gala dinners, and bookings for either or both of the two evenings can be made by following the link on the forum Website or going directly to www.ecmeetings.com/cbf2005

Once your registrations have been processed, you will receive an invoice for the relevant amount. Payment can be made by credit card online, by bank transfer, or by cheque. For more assistance or queries, call Blanche Gatt on 9989-6252 or e-mail cbf2005@maltaenterprise.com. Full instructions on how to register are at www.cbcglobelink.org/cbf2005