The SBS Swiss Business School hosted its first annual CIVETS forum on Thursday April 14th, 2011 at its campus in Kloten. The Forum was organized by students, and hosted 6 high-profile international guest speakers, who came to discuss their personal experiences with business and investment opportunities within the CIVETS countries (Columbia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Egypt, Turkey and South Africa) as well as the role that Switzerland plays in investing in these emerging market economies.
MBA student Ed Morris stated that “Thinking globally and acting locally is not just a mantra for successful businesses. It is also an essential part of the effective formula for business education in a globalized world. By gathering business leaders from the emerging markets of the world in a local and personal forum the power of the expression us fully realized and value to our future global business leaders… Immeasurable”
The discussion was opened by Mr. Peter Zuellig, Executive Director of Parazelsus, who shared his business experiences in Indonesia, highlighting the pros and cons of doing business in an emerging market economy, and what this meant for pharmaceutical distribution. Head of Group Internal Control at Orascom Development Holding, Mr. Medhat Helmi then went on to discuss the effects of Egpyt’s recent political crisis on investment opportunities within a country of untapped potential.
Representing Turkey was Mr. Urs Grunder, of Lombard Odier Private Bank, who shared the benefits of investing in a country whose geographical location poses a huge strategical advantage. Vietnam was then covered by Mr. Hansruedi Schuerch, a Senior Consultant at the Buhler Group who examined the important connections between DEZA and Vietnam. Mr. Juan Carlos Ardila then represented Columbia, as an entrepreneur, active in the field of coffee, who has started several small businesses focusing on sustainable supply chain management and creating shared value.
The forum was then closed by Mr. Jürg Steinacher, member of the executive board of SwissCham Southern Africa, emphasizing the important role of green technologies for the future of South African enterprises.
Tiago Solca, a 2nd year undergraduate business student stated that: “Having the opportunity to meet representatives from the CIVETS countries face to face and hear their business story was a great learning experience. It has helped me enlarge my horizons and understand more different clotures and business opportunities.” SBS Swiss Business School is a private university offering undergraduate, master, and doctor level degrees in Business Administration. It hosts a variety of guest speakers and seminars as part of its practical approach to learning. More information can be found under www.sbs.edu
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