The country also boasts of a suitable climate, peace and a multi-party competitive democratic political system. The country thus possesses all the necessary attributes for sustainable economic growth and development. However, most economic resources remain untapped due to low investments. The low investment levels in the country could partly be attributed to the lack of knowledge of the local situation by the potential investors. In order to complement, Government’s efforts in marketing the country’s investment potential, we all need to use our contacts and friends to disseminate information on the vast economic potential that exists in the country. With the current economic challenges emanating global financial meltdown, the need for increased investment levels in the country can not be over emphasised. Therefore, I challenge all of us gathered here today, to take advantage of the Alumniportal and market not only our Curriculum Vitaes or businesses but also our country. Such initiatives will no doubt increase awareness among businessmen outside the country and lead to increased investment that would result in job creation that our citizens so much need. We are therefore in a better position to contribute a little to the economic growth of our country through this Alumniportal. Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, personally, since my graduation from Konstanz University in 1985, I have managed to keep my contacts close to my heart. I have continued to benefit immensely from the interactions and friendship with most alumni from my days in Germany. I can even boast that in the process my contacts have expanded ten fold.

So the increase in demand for office premises was partly attributable to economic conditions in general, but also to especially favourable conditions within office-intensive businesses in particular. The subsequent slowdown in activity also hit some of these businesses hardest, which affected demand for office premises. Thus, a recovery in demand for office premises would not only be associated with a revival in general economic activity but also in activity within these office-intensive businesses. Irrespective of business area, it also appears that companies today, unlike at the end of the 1990s when expectations of growth and expansion were high, are seeking to reduce the area of office space per employee. This is one way for them to adapt their costs to new, more strained economic conditions. All in all, these aspects suggest that demand for office space may not recover at the same rate as the general level of activity. Secondly, unlike single-family dwellings for instance, commercial properties are a form of investment. Consequently, prices of commercial properties are affected more than single-family dwellings by the return on other investments. In times of uncertainty, property has often been seen as an attractive alternative to equities in particular, and investors tend to increase the share of property in their portfolios, thus leading to upward pressure on prices. According to Swedish Property Index, the return on property in Sweden over the past three years has exceeded that on equities. Moreover, in 2000 and 2001, the return on property surpassed that on all alternative forms of investment.