The first International Business Conference (IBC), organised by the New Partnership for Africa Development (NEPAD) Business Group of Cote d’Ivoire, in collaboration with their Nigerian counterparts and the Private Enterprise Foundation of Ghana, will be held 3-5 March 2008.
The organisers said the conference, which has the theme “Creating a Conducive Environment for Trade and Investment Development between Anglophone and Francophone countries in West Africa,” will be held at Hotel Ivoire, Abidjan, capital of Cote d’Ivoire.
According to the conference description, three topics, “Interconnectivity and market access in the region”; Industries and inter-regional specialisation” and “Integration, banking and finance perspectives” have been slated for discussion during the three-day parley.
The objectives of the conference include the following:
1 Promote trade and investment flows in West Africa and create a sustainable bri dge between Francophone and Anglophone countries in the sub-region
2 Reinforce the role of private sector in the formulation of relevant economic a nd trade policies
3 Strengthen the process of integration in West Africa.
Participants are drawn from decision makers from key corporations in Anglophone and Francophone countries, key players in the sub-regional and international banking and finance sectors, captains of industry in the sub-region, SMEs and entrepreneurs as well as key regional and international donors and development partners .
The conference is expected to come up with expert knowledge acquisition – economic, trade potential (by country, sector, value chain), exploitation of business o pportunities and establishment of partnerships between Francophone and Anglophon e business people as well as the establishment of an observatory for business integration in West Africa.
by Panapress
