World Trade Center Illinois Partners with The Corporate Council on Africa for 2008 U.S. - Africa Agribusiness Forum in Chicago

29 May 2008
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Corporate Council on Africa (Washington, DC)
press release

Washington, D.C. — Global Leaders in Agribusiness Industry to Discuss the Increasing Business Case for Investing in Agriculture & Food Production in Africa

The Corporate Council on Africa (CCA) today announced that World Trade Center Illinois (WTCI), member of the world's largest private business network, will join CCA as a cooperating partner of the 2008 U.S. – Africa Agribusiness Forum to be held in Chicago, June 25-27.

WTCI's involvement will help Illinois businesses wanting to invest in agriculture and agribusiness-related industries in Africa.

"Illinois is at the epicenter of U.S. agriculture and agribusiness activity," said CCA President Stephen Hayes. "With World Trade Center Illinois, we can ensure that Illinois businesses will be at the table with business leaders from around the U.S., to see firsthand the latest investment and business opportunities in African agribusiness. We welcome WTCI as cooperative partners."

According to the World Bank up to 80% of Africa's labor force is engaged in agriculture and agribusiness-related enterprises with a total value of more than $206.7 billion in 2006 in Sub-Saharan Africa. In 2007, agriculture generated more than one-third of Africa's GDP growth.

"We're delighted to have the opportunity to partner with The Corporate Council on Africa for this first of its kind conference on agribusiness in Africa," said WTCI Chairman Neil F. Hartigan. "Our team of experts, including former director of the Illinois Department of Agriculture are working to ensure every aspect of Illinois agribusiness will participate in and benefit from this event." Hartigan added that his office will urge other World Trade Centers in the U.S. to participate.

The 2008 Agribusiness Forum, Investing in Agriculture Links, in Africa is organized by CCA's Agribusiness Initiatives Program. The forum is expected to attract more than 300 leaders from the private and public sectors in the U.S. and Africa.

The two-day forum will include industry-specific workshop sessions, networking opportunities, and plenary sessions where industry experts will provide the latest, cutting-edge information on various agribusiness issues. Topics for discussion include cross-cutting issues such as financing; commodity trading markets; food security; infrastructure investment to connect African markets; market information systems improvement; product innovation; cash crop production and investment; livestock production and investment; pharmaceutical growth; bio-fuel industry growth; carbon trading; and production technology. Visit www.africacncl.org for more details and registration information.

Event sponsors include the U.S. Agency for International Development; CME Group; Novus International, Inc.; Buchanan Renewables; Schaffer Global Group; Illovo Sugar; World Cocoa Foundation; All Africa Global Media; Watt Publishing; African Business; African Decisions; and Corporate Africa.

More information

The World Trade Center Illinois (WTCI), a non-profit membership-driven organization, is part of the World Trade Centers Association, a network of over 300 World Trade Centers in nearly 100 countries, with over 750,000 member companies. WTCI's mission is to create a new type of economic development for the State of Illinois by assisting Illinois companies in engaging global markets through international business opportunities, including exporting, importing, investing, joint venturing, and through whatever other means are available to help Illinois companies be globally competitive. For more information on WTCI visit www.wtcillinois.org .

The CCA Agribusiness Initiatives Program promotes U.S. private sector involvement in African agriculture, agribusiness, and related activities.

 

Established in 1993, The Corporate Council on Africa is a nonpartisan 501 (c) (3) membership organization of nearly 200 U.S. companies dedicated to strengthening the commercial relationship between the U.S. and Africa.   CCA members represent nearly 85 percent of total U.S. private sector investments in Africa. The organization is dedicated to bringing together potential business partners and to showcase business opportunities on the continent.

For more information on the 2008 U.S.-Africa Agribusiness Forum click here or visit www.africacncl.org

 

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