ITC, AFD Business France Export Promotion Services Workshop for TPO’s in Sub-Saharan Africa
The Council participated at a three-day Export Promotion Services Workshop for Trade Promotion Organizations in Sub-Saharan African Countries.
The workshop was organized by the International Trade Centre (ITC) Geneva, Agence Francaise De Development (AFD) and Business France (BF) from 4-6 July 2018 at the Golden Tulip Essential Hotel Lagos, Nigeria.
The workshop was attended by Top government officials from some TPO’s in the Gambia, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Gabon, Cameroun and Nigeria.
The Objectives of the workshop were:
- Strengthen the Operational Management of Export Promotion Programmes (MOPSE).
- Support the formulation of an operational plan of export promotion services to be implemented in 2019 by each TPO.
- An opportunity for the participating TPO’s to prepare a dedicated action plan for the up-coming trade show (SAIL Paris) and a B2B forum (Ambition Africa) in October 2018.
Mr. Christophe Lecourtier, CEO Business France, in his words of passion and excitement positively expressed the French Governments renewed conviction and belief in partnering and trading with Africa “Africa has become a real priority”. He said this was clearly demonstrated by the visit of the French President, Mr. Emmanuel Macron to Nigeria; organization of Ambition Africa B2B Forum and New Made in Africa Pavilion at the SIAL 2019.
Mr. Olusegun Awolowo, Executive Director/CEO NEPC, in his remarks acknowledged the various initiatives by the French government, their institutions-Business France, AFD and ITC. He commended their professionalism and willingness to share resources and grow other TPO’s. While advocating for Regional trade the ED/CEO, NEPC believes that the novel strategies from MOPSE programme will provide positive platform for bigger collaborations regionally and internationally. He closed with a call for a new future.” we cannot let our past determine our future, wars, starvation, Crisis… we have to move on”.
