African Ministers responsible at the
17th Aviation & Allied Business Leadership Conference held at
the Hyatt Regency Hotel - The Kilimanjaro, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania,
August 28-30, 2011, have agreed to the need to liberalize and
fast-track air transport development in Africa strengthening
cross-regional ties and working closely with the private sector and
industry experts. President Jakaya Kikwete of Tanzania who
performed the opening ceremony of the conference in the presence of
several African transport Ministers and aviation industry leaders
and experts from within and outside Africa, calls for improvement
of air transport that would enhance tourism and general economic
development in Africa. The Ministers draw attention to the need for
good corporate governance, common policies, improved oversight and
safety of African airlines, and implementation of the Yamoussoukro
Decision which will pave way for liberalization and increased
investments in Africa's air transport industry. They also call for
greater cooperation within Africa, and between Africa and foreign
partners. Transport Ministers from Botswana, Tanzania, Nigeria and
Namibia, as well as State Ministers of Transport from Ghana, Kenya
and Uganda agreed to the need for accelerated integration in Africa
through improved African market access especially for African
airlines.
Ms. Susan Kurland, Assistant
Secretary for Aviation and International Affairs of the US
Department of Transport (DoT), says Africa is the priority for
President Barak Obama of the US, noting also that Africa should
improve transport network and push for the implementation of the
Yamoussoukro Decision and liberalization of air transport in
Africa.
Ms. Julie Oettinger, Assistant
Administrator for Policy, International Affairs and Environment of
the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), lauds aviation safety
improvements in parts of Africa and the establishment of regional
safety oversight bodies, and the achievement of the FAA Category 1
recently in Nigeria. Capt. Edward Boyo, Publisher of Aviation &
Allied Business Journal, says the presence of the Tanzanian
President to drive momentum of deliberations at the conference
points to the increasing realization of the importance of aviation
to economic development by African governments.