Dates: Wednesday, May 16th - Friday, May 18th 2012

Time: 9:00 A.M.-5:00 P.M.

RSVP Required

Date:     Wednesday May 16^Th to 18^TH, 2012

Time:    9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Venue:

Chicago, Illinois, USA – The Continental Africa Chamber of Commerce USA announces that its 7^Th US- Africa Trade & Investment Forum, Conference and Exhibition will be held May 16-18, 2012 in Chicago.

‘Africa is the new face of emerging markets and offers great potentials for American Businesses and Investors.

This historic event will take place in Chicago in May 2012.

The Forum will:

• Provide a platform for the presentation to American Corporate and Public Policy makers on the wide array of investment opportunities in Africa.
• Provide a platform for the discussion of ways in which these opportunities can be realized.
• Allow participants meet their strategic interests by providing networking opportunities and avenue for the development of bilateral investment possibilities.
• Provide opportunities for one-on-one negotiations.
• Allow American Companies to exhibit their products and services and African businesses to exhibit their products under AGOA.

The Forum will include the following sectors:

 Expected at the forum are many stakeholders in Trade, Commerce and Government from USA and Africa including but not limited to:

• Presidents of the two largest economies in Africa.
• US companies with emphasis on companies from Illinois and Midwestern States.
• African companies, entrepreneurs and banks.

• Major U.S trade related Agencies, Banks, Businesses, and Trade specialists.
• African Ministers of Trade and Investment, Agriculture, Infrastructural Development, Ambassadors and Governors.
• African Union

In August 2010, several successful engagements and relationships resulted from participation in the 6^th US-Africa Trade & Investment Forum.  Africa is growing, and significant opportunities exist for US businesses. With US jobs at stake and the increasing reach and competition by Asian nations in Africa, this Forum provides an important opportunity for US companies to understand and engage business interests across the vast and diverse markets of a new Africa.  Join us!

Sponsorship and Advertisement opportunities in the Program Booklet are available.

For further information

Email the CACC at info@continentalacc.org or contact the following:

 CACC: 28, East Jackson Blvd., Suite 600, Chicago, IL.

Phone: 312-987-1892

The goal of this Trade Forum is to focus on trade promotion and export development within developing countries and economies in transition located in Africa. U.S.-Africa Trade and Investment Forum is the Chamber's annual event that brings government officials and businesses from the State of Illinois and African Countries together annually for the sole purpose of increasing Illinois Midwestern States and U.S. trades, exports and investments to and from Africa.

We found that bringing people together face-to-face is one of the most effective ways to initiate business relationships before following up with today's technologies of Internet, letters and telephone calls.

Business people from both Continents are usually educated about how to do successful businesses in the State of Illinois, U.S. and Africa during the different seminars being conducted by recognized professionals in the chosen industries and in different geographical regions of Africa.

City, State, County and Federal agencies are always on hand to inform both domestic and international attendees about the different programs that exist from their agencies. Many Illinois and U.S. companies have benefited from the past events through increase in exports to Africa and we want this trend to continue so that more jobs can be created here in Illinois and U.S.

• Donna Sims of Loop Capital, a Chicago based company secured about $6m [Six million dollars] I.T. deal with the Jigawa State Government of Nigeria in 2000.
• John Martis Enterprises of Chicago secured over $500,000.00 used Mack Trucks to Japaul Oil and Maritime Services Plc of Port Harcourt, Nigeria in 2007.
• Dredging Supply Inc. (DSC) secured supply of Multimillion dollars dredging equipment with Japaul Oil and Maritime Services Plc of Port Harcourt, Nigeria
• ViaSat Inc. of Atlanta also secured multimillion telecommunications project deal with ABG Telecommunication Company of Nigeria.
• Kofa International Co of Chicago secured various equipment supplies including used Caterpillar equipment from Patten Industries Inc. of Elmhurst, IL. Quarry equipment from Telsmith of Milwaukee and many others for various African companies.
• NIA Architects of Chicago is having on-going negotiations with one of the attendees of prior event in Africa.
• The Government of Gabon is negotiating purchase of various equipment from Patten Industries Inc.
• Past attendees have bought various Mack Trucks from Chicago Mack Trucks.
• American Plastic Technologies is negotiating with Sheridan Medical Center for a pharmaceutical plant in Nigeria

WHO SHOULD ATTEND? 

• Persons interested in entering the African Marketplace or increasing their personal operations on the African Continent.

• Businesses in the targeted sectors:  Agribusiness and Food Processing, Telecommunication and Information Technology; Medical Pharmaceutical and Tourism; Oil and Gas, etc.

• Companies seeking procurement or consulting opportunities to and from Africa.

• Small-to-medium sized companies interested in E-commerce trade lead service provided by the USAID Global Technology Network.
• Trade associations, private export service providers, development companies.