The Asia Network

The Asia Network Considering the rising importance of Asia in the global economy and the increasing commercial interaction between Asia’s rising powers and the African continent, GIBS has established the Asia Network. Emerging Asia may simultaneously pose the greatest competitive challenge as well as the greatest commercial opportunity for African economies. We believe that it is imperative for African governments, companies and individuals to gain greater insight and understanding of the implications of the economic rise of Asia for the African continent.

In pursuit of our mission, the Asia Network provides teaching, research and business education services to our clients and stakeholders. Headed by Dr Martyn Davies, the Asia Network is the business academic hub of Asia-Africa work and is active in the following areas:

Research into the Asia-Africa political economy
Company Specific Programmes
Bespoke executive education courses
International road shows to Asia
GIBS Forums and conferences
Supervision of MBA research.

The China Africa Network (CAN) The China Africa Network is a GIBS initiative which will facilitate and promote the competitiveness of South African and African private sectors vis-a-vis their engagement with the Chinese economy.

Considering the rising investment and commercial presence of China Inc. in Africa, we believe that it is imperative for local companies to better understand these trends and improve their ability to both compete and collaborate with the Chinese business sector. The China Africa Network will carry out teaching, research and business education work within the context of the business school as well as to our clients and stakeholders.

The Network was launched In January 2010. The event was attended by guest of honor H.E. Dr Blade Nzimande, South African Minister of Higher Education and Training and Ambassador Zhong Jianhua, Embassy of the People's Republic of China. Representatives from South African and Chinese business, academic and the media community were also present.

The Network is directed by Dr Martyn Davies who is a full-time faculty member of the school. He lectures on MBA as well as Executive and Company Specific Programmes.

As the academic hub of China Africa research and teaching, the CAN will be implementing eight projects over the course of 2010. Information on these projects will be disseminated throughout the year via our China Africa Business Weekly publication, which is available via this site or as an e-mail upon subscription.

For further information on the China Africa Network, contact us on +27 (0) 11 771 4332 or e-mail China-Africa-Network@gibs.co.za.

The Asia Corporate Network (ACN) The Asia Network houses the exclusive, membership-based Asia Corporate Network (ACN) that provides high level networking meetings for senior African and Asian business executives and government figures.

The Asia Corporate Network’s key objectives are to

provide a networking forum for senior executives and policy makers from Asia and Africa
assist in improving the competitiveness of South African business in the Asia region
provide a forum for Asian business to engage with senior level South African business executives
act as the leading organisation in South Africa pertaining to commercial engagement with Asia.

Membership benefits include:

Informed insight and networking at the highest level on Asian business subjects
The Asia-Africa Business Briefing, a monthly members-only product
A members-only annual learning journey to an Asian economy
Exclusive briefing services around Asia provided by our staff to the Boards of member firms
Summary papers from Asia Corporate Network meetings
Discounted fees at other Forum and executive education programmes at GIBS.

To become a member or learn more about the Asia Corporate Network (ACN), please contact Dr Martyn Davies at +27 (0) 11 771 4332 or daviesm@gibs.co.za.