Baltimore to Host Corporate Council on Africa Business Summit, June 21-24

allAfrica.com/ Tamela Hultman
Assistant Secretary of State Constance Newman speaking at the US-Africa Business Summit
26 April 2005
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Corporate Council on Africa (Washington, DC)
press release

Washington, DC — U.S. & African Private & Public Sectors to Convene for Trade and Investment Opportunities

In a backdrop of rejuvenated international focus on promoting business and trade with Africa, the Corporate Council on Africa (CCA) is gearing up for its fifth biennial U.S.-Africa Business Summit to be held June 21-24, in Maryland at the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront Hotel. CCA expects the event to draw more than 1,500 businesses and more than one hundred high-level government leaders from the U.S. and Africa.

"Our primary goal is to strengthen trade and investment ties between the U.S. and 53 African countries," said CCA president Stephen Hayes. "This summit will provide a forum for Fortune 500 and small and medium-sized businesses to identify potential business partnerships. In addition, there will be workshops on key issues and discussions on the impact of international trade policies, as well as pointers on American companies doing business in Africa."

The Corporate Council on Africa is comprised of nearly 200 U.S. companies doing business in Africa. Collectively, CCA members represent nearly 85 percent of the total U.S. private-sector investment in Africa. The four-day summit is expected to be the largest U.S.-Africa business conference held in the United States.

CCA's 2003 summit attracted 2,300 attendees, including over 2,000 businessmen and women from some of the world's major corporations and small businesses, and more than 100 African government ministers and heads of state. Sixteen African heads of state or heads of governments attended the summit, as did President George W. Bush, former Secretary of State Colin Powell, Secretary of Commerce Donald Evans, U.S. Trade Representative Robert Zoellick, the chairmen of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the Senate and House Africa sub-committees. The 2003 summit also spurred many business partnerships.

"CCA, the State of Maryland and the City of Baltimore are excited to welcome hundreds of U.S. and African businesspeople and influential leaders to Baltimore to engage in candid and open dialogue about increasing trade and investment in Africa," Hayes said.

"We are honored that the Corporate Council on Africa has chosen Maryland to host this important summit," said Governor Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. "The Ehrlich Administration is committed to strengthening its partnership with African nations, as was demonstrated by Lt. Governor Michael Steele's trade mission to three African nations last year. We look forward to the summit in June."

"Baltimore is proud to host the 2005 U.S. - Africa Business Summit," said Baltimore Mayor Martin O'Malley. "This summit will increase investment opportunities for American businesses throughout the African continent, increase understanding between the United States and Africa, and allow senior government officials to come together to build and strengthen partnerships between Africa and the United States."

More than 50 summit workshops and plenary sessions will cover topics such as agriculture, arts & entertainment, education, energy and power, finance, healthcare,housing, small business opportunities, telecommunications, tourism, transportation and infrastructure. A U.S.-Africa Artisan Fair also will showcase 25 exhibit booths featuring high-end African handicrafts to encourage trade opportunities. A gala dinner will be held opening night.  An African head of state is expected to present the keynote address. In addition, there will be structured time allotted for networking and business deal making.

"Forward-thinking business leaders are realizing Africa's significance more and more," said Hayes. "Africa is important to America and the world - politically, strategically and economically. For any business, person or agency planning to do business with Africa, attending our Summit is 'a must.' It will provide an excellent forum for exchanging a wide-range of ideas, information about Africa as well as a venue to develop business partnerships."

For more information about the CCA Summit, please visit www.africacncl.org
or Register online: www.africacncl.org/CCA_Summits/2005_reg/step1.aspx.
Media may apply online for accreditation at Summit@africacncl.org.

The Corporate Council on Africa

Founded in 1993, the Corporate Council on Africa is the leading American nonprofit, tax-exempt organization dedicated to enhancing trade and investment ties between the United States and the 53 countries in Africa. CCA is comprised of about 200 member companies, representing nearly 85 percent of total U.S. private sector investment in Africa.

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