The African Chamber of Commerce of the Pacific Northwest's
The 10th Annual
Africa Day Business Forum And Celebration Dinner
Saturday, October 18th, 2008
Red Lion Hotel Downtown Seattle

The 10th Annual Africa Day Business Forum was dedicated to developing Business Partnerships for Sustainable Economic Growth. It was our largest Forum yet, attracting over 200 attendees from the United States and Africa. Following the business forum was an elegant evening of food, wine, African Dance, guest speakers and a silent auction.

Topics Included:
- Business Opportunities in Sub-Saharan Africa presented by various African Ambassadors and Embassy Representatives
- Washington State Services to Promote Exports to Africa and Elsewhere
- How to Finance Exports to Africa using Export Trade Credit Insurance
- OPIC programs for Investments in Africa
- Regulatory Aspects of Doing Business in Africa
- Business Climate and Challenges U.S. Companies Face Entering the Emerging Markets of Africa
- AGOA, the Future of Africa Trade Agreements, and the Trade Agendas of the Next Administration
- Microsoft's Focus on ICT for Development in Africa
- Round Table/Open Discussion on Africas Future and Ongoing Economic Development Programs

We would like to thank our disgisuished Guests and Speakers:
  Congressman Jim McDermott - United States Member of Congress
  Lieutenant Governor Brad Owen - State of Washington
  Senator Rosa Franklin - State of Washington
  Senator Jim Kastama - State of Washington
  Representative Phyllis Kenney - State of Washington
  Mayor Ava Frisinger - Issaquah Washington

  Ambassador B.G. Wakil - Deputy Chief of Mission of Nigeria
  Ms Loreto Mataboge - Minister Counselor for Economic and Commercial Affairs Republic of South Africa
  Mr. Luis Sitoe - Counselor (Commercial) of Mozambique
  Mr. Abdul Cole - Charge d'Affaires from the Embassy of The Gambia
  Mr. Chamberlain Eke - Commercial Specialist from the US Embassy, Lagos Nigeria
  Ms. Nyambura Kamau - Kenya Consular General of Los Angelos

  Dr. Leon F. "Skip" Rowland - Executive Director, Urban Enterprise Center of the
    Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce
  Mr. Peter Ballinger- Director, Business Development, OPIC
  Ms. Alicia Robinson-Morgan - U.S. Department of Commerce, Deputy Director for the
    Office of Africa
  Prof. Stephen Lande - President, Manchester Trade Ltd
  Mr. Andrew Crowder- Industrial Machinery Program Manager for Washington State
    Community Trade and Economic Development
  Mr. James Utzschneider - General Manager of Microsoft Unlimited Potential Group
  Mr. Gary A. Ryan - President, Airport Brokers Corporation
  Mr. Richard Day - President, Atlantic Pacific Trade Group

Organizing Partners Included:

 

 

 

 

A Special Thank You to the Sponsors of this Event: