The African Union New York Office hosted the MIGA – World Bank’s Finance Guarantee for Africa conference arranged by The Allied African Nations Chamber of Commerce’s President Anthony Adjasse on July 25, 2012. The conference featured a power point presentation by the World Bank’s Global Head of Business Strategy and Client Development Ms. Ileana Boza, from the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (known as MIGA) of the World Bank Group.
The presentation provided U.S. corporation officials with the investment protection information needed to finally be able to capitalize on the multiple financial benefits that Africa has to offer. Up until now, corporations were hesitant to explore expanding their organizations into the African Region, fearing a loss of their investment and the potential dishonoring of African governmental contracts through a change in government or other detrimental conditions affecting African governmental stability. As they learned, through the MIGA program presentation, that former worry is a thing of the past.
The program commenced with greetings from the New York City African Union Chairperson Jean-Francis R. Zinsou, ambassador of the Republic of Benin. The introduction of the AANCC Board of Trustees followed, individually citing President / CEO Anthony Adjasse, COO – Kim E. Fuller and finally AANCC’s Director of International Marketing and Communication Gailmarie Scott. Fellow trustee member James Young mayor of the city of Philadelphia, Mississippi was unable to attend due to a scheduling conflict.
Conference attendees were introduced to two of the original founding diplomatic corps members, out of five consulates that were responsible for the initial forming of the chamber, initiated by them on Jan. 18, 2007. The two were the Commercial Counselor of Zambia Ms. Irene Tembo and Counsellor of Madagascar Ms. Lila Andrianatoandro.
Immediately following the introductions, the World Bank power point presentation from Ms. Boza (which would prove to become a major positive turning point for Investment in Africa would begin), followed by a question and answer session between the attendees and the MIGA – World Bank.
After the question and answer session, one of the original chamber founders – Madagascar’s Counsellor – Ms. Lila reiterated that the chamber was created to perform the preliminary work and certify corporations for the original 17-member states, prior to those corporations being considered proficient, as well as capable to advance to the next step in dealing with their governmental officials, and stated that the same would apply to the additional 18 countries scheduled for induction into the chamber in the near future. The chamber’s official website was presented to all attendees as www.africanationschamber.com/.
The conference concluded with a catered lunch and cocktails. The chambers official P.R. firm was identified and acknowledged for promoting the Chamber from day one by President Adjasse, as The Multi – Cultural Media Alliance, headed by founding senior partner William “Bill” McCreary, founding managing partner Kim E. Fuller, managing partners Robert “Godzilla” Smith, Erick Alexander and firm photographer Tracey Noel – Fuller. Following this event, chamber officials were invited to attend the Seventh Annual ATA (African Tourism Association) Presidential Forum on Tourism, which was held on Sept. 27 in N.Y.C. Some of the African dignitaries in attendance were as follows: Dr. Boni Yayi, president of The Republic of Benin, Fatou Mas Jobe Njie minister of Tourism and Culture, Gambia, Walter Mzembi minister of Tourism , Zimbabwe and Amina Ali, ambassador extraordinary & plenipotentiary, African Union Permanent Representative to the U.S.A. The conference was attended by Chamber CEO Anthony Adjasse and COO Kim Fuller.
Chamber Induction Ceremony Of 18 New Countries Coming Up In Nov. 2012
The upcoming induction ceremony of 18 new countries is scheduled for Nov. 29, 2012. The countries scheduled to be inducted are the following: Botswana, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Djibouti, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Guinea – Bissau, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Malawi, Mauritius, Mauritania, Mozambique, Niger and Tanzania. These countries will be welcomed into the chamber by the following original 17 founding member countries, which are as follows: from the West African Region – Benin, Burkina Faso, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Mail, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone EAST / Central African Region – Rwanda, Uganda South African Region – Angola, Madagascar, Namibia, South Africa and Zambia.
American corporations interested to do business with Africa will be required to sign Non Circumvention agreements. To learn the specifics regarding this upcoming event, contact the following number (347) 339 – 3742 or email the chamber at kimfuller417@rocketmail.com or info@africanationschamber.comCourtesy of Kim Fuller
