The Forum
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.
PREVIOUS FORUM ACHIEVEMENTS
- 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 Plc of Port- Harcourt, Nigeria in 2007.
- Dredging Supply Inc. (DSC) secured supply of Multimillion dollars dredging equipment with Japaul Plc of 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 Pattern Caterpillar 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 Pattern Equipment etc.
- 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.
