South Africa: TRENDS Research and Advisory, in collaboration with the Bureau for Economic Research (BER) at Stellenbosch University, held a panel discussion. The focus was on the future of economic relations between the Middle East and Africa, as well as the major economic developments and promising commercial and investment opportunities in Africa.
Many researchers and specialists were present during the debate, which was chaired by Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ali, CEO of TRENDS, and included Dr. Johann Kirsten, Director of BER.
Apart from deliberating on the prospects for economic cooperation, the conversation delved into the research and scientific collaboration prospects between TRENDS and BER in crucial domains like technology and economics. The objective is to optimize shared advantages and suggest inventive resolutions to the challenges of economic and developmental policies confronting nations.
Dr. Mohammed Al-Ali, CEO of TRENDS, emphasized the importance of this panel discussion in enhancing research cooperation with leading African think tanks. He noted that “the TRENDS office in Cape Town serves as a focal point for the center’s efforts in Africa, aiming to expand the scope of joint research with prestigious African research institutions”.
He clarified that in the upcoming phase, the strategic goals of the TRENDS office in Cape Town center on identifying priority research areas that can improve collaboration with African research institutions, forming successful alliances with think tanks across multiple African nations, and fostering the sharing of knowledge and expertise between African researchers and their counterparts at TRENDS.
Dr. Johann Kirsten, Director of BER, stated that the “panel discussion represents an important step towards enhancing cooperation between the two sides in areas of mutual research interest.”