DRAFT CONCEPT NOTE ð VERSION 2.7 6, 7, 8 MAY 2015 MONS - BELGIUM
EU-Africa B2B Forum 2015 6,7,8 May 2015 Mons - Belgium Table of Contents EXECUTIVE SUMMARY... 3 1. BACKGROUND & CONTEXT... 3 2. SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES OF THE EVENT... 3 3. PARTICIPANTS... 3 4. OUTCOMES... 3 5. VENUE... 4 6. EVALUATION... 4 EVENT PRESENTATION... 6 1. DAY 1: May 6 th 2015: GUIDED TOUR OF MONS... 7 2. DAY 2: May 7 th 2015: DOING BUSINESS WITH AFRICA... 7 3. DAY 3: May 8 th 2015: TOURISM IN AFRICA... 9 4. The Venue: The Mons International Congress Xperience... 10 Page 2 of 12
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1. BACKGROUND & CONTEXT Today, Africa is more than ever in the spotlight. With prospects of growth exceeding 5% and a sharp rise in investment and consumption, the continent seems to be holding the right cards to stimulate economic development 1. Thanks to a favorable business environment, the African private sector is catching the eye of American, European and even Asian investors. According to many reports, this continent has one of the best returns on investments in the world. Africa and Europe have now an unprecedented opportunity to redefine their business partnerships and foster the collaboration and exchanges between their respective private sectors. 2. SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES OF THE EVENT The EU-Africa B2B Forum is a business event, which aims to bring together African and European professionals of the business world to discuss opportunities, expectations and needs. The EU-Africa B2B Forum will provide an adequate framework for exchanges and will enable contacts between professionals from African and European private sectors, but also between European businesses themselves. The event will be held on May 6-8, 2015 in Mons, Belgium. 3. PARTICIPANTS This first edition of the EU-Africa B2B Forum expects 500 to 700 participants for each day. Target groups include: - African and European high-level representatives of institutions, governments and the private sector (Ministers, CEOs, representatives of financial institutions, regional institutions, etc.). - Experts and leaders of various sectors in Africa - Company representatives (start-ups, SMEs, multinationals, etc.). - Private and public investors - Project holders - Services suppliers related to export to African markets - European export promotion agencies - Investment promotion agencies - General public (day 3) 4. OUTCOMES 1. Launch of the EU-Africa B2B online Platform: this first edition of the EU-Africa B2B Forum will be also the launch of the EU-Africa Online B2B platform which will give the 1 http://www.banquemondiale.org/fr/news/press-release/2014/04/07/africas-growth-set-to-reach-52-percent-in-2014-with-strong- investment-growth-and-household-spending Page 3 of 12
opportunity to the participant to stay in touch and maintain their business relation. The online platform will also provide various resources for doing business with Africa. 2. Opportunity to fine-tune the services offered by the EUACC Business Center: the EUACC is preparing the implementation of Business Centers in Africa. The Pilot will be implemented in Burkina Faso. EUACC Business Centers will provide local based high quality services for local businesses and foreign investors, office facilities and co-working space accessible to young entrepreneurs. EUACC Business Centers will apply to the third countries program of the European Enterprise Network of the European Commission (DG Enterprise). 5. VENUE The Mons International Congress Xperience (MICX), Belgium This first edition of the EU-Africa B2B Forum will be held at the Mons International Congress Xperience (MICX), located in the city of Mons, Belgium. The MICX is a genuine masterpiece designed by the New York architect, Daniel Libeskind. Libeskind is internationally renowned for the project selected for Ground Zero in New York, as well as majestic works such as the Jewish Museum in Berlin and the Imperial War Museum North in Manchester. Moreover, the city of Mons will be in 2015, the European Capital of Culture. 6. EVALUATION At the end of the EU-Africa B2B Forum, a report will be prepared and sent to all participants, partners and sponsors. It will include the highlights of the exhibition and the themes discussed during the plenary sessions and thematic workshops. It also will include the results of a survey that will be conducted at the end of the show. The survey will provide the statistical assessment of the show (attendance, sectors represented, etc.) Page 4 of 12
Page 5 of 12
EVENT PRESENTATION The EU-Africa B2B Forum is a business event, which aims to bring together African and European professionals to discuss opportunities, expectations and needs. It will be held on May 6-8, 2015 in Mons, Belgium. The forum will be organized to facilitate interaction between European and African companies and to promote win-win business opportunities and partnerships. On one hand, the forum stimulates the development private sector. On the other opportunity for European strengthen their positions on African markets through new commercial opportunities. This multi-sectoral business event will also be a key platform updated information on African markets. promotes and of the African hand, it is an companies to and industrial for exchanging The first day (06 May 2015) will be dedicated to a guided tour of the City of Mons, the European capital of Culture 2015. The second day (07 May "Doing business with business opportunities, business meetings and coaching. 2015) is under the theme: Africa". It will focus on networking, business-toinformation sessions and For this edition the tourism industry will be in the spotlight. The EU-Africa Chamber of Commerce believes that development of a sustainable tourism is a powerful engine for economic growth and job creation, which stimulates the development of other sectors. It also creates demands for transportation, finance and telecommunications. Crafts, clothing, and the consumption of local products in restaurants and markets also stimulate demand for agricultural and manufactured goods. Tourism is a key opportunity to promote the richness and cultural diversity of Africa to the public. Page 6 of 12
Therefore the third day (08 May 2015) will be under the theme: "The Tourism industry in Africa". Business meetings between professionals will be organized and the exhibition area presenting tourism opportunities in Africa will be accessible to the general public. 1. DAY 1: May 6 th 2015: GUIDED TOUR OF MONS This day will be dedicated to a tour visit of the city of Mons. Registered visitors and high level guests will discover various aspects of this city in the Center of Europe: history, culture, and business. The agenda and itinerary will be available shortly. 2. DAY 2: May 7 th 2015: DOING BUSINESS WITH AFRICA The day "Doing business with Africa" will give different opportunities for interaction between the participants. Target group Goals - African and European high-level representatives of institutions, governments and the private sector (Ministers, CEOs, representatives of financial institutions, regional institutions, etc.). - Experts and leaders of various sectors in Africa - Company representatives (start-ups, SMEs, multinationals, etc.). - Private and public investors - Project developers - Services suppliers related to export to African markets - European export promotion agencies - Investment promotion agencies - Provide an adequate framework for exchanges and enable contacts between professionals African and European privates sectors, but also between Europeans businesses themselves. - Offer more visibility to the African private sector but also to specific regions of Europe. - Provide information and practical tools about the environment for conducting business in Africa - Provide ad hoc information on the status, operation, needs and business opportunities in various sectors in Africa Page 7 of 12
Means - Plenary sessions: high-level representatives from institutions, governments and the African and European private sector will be invited to speak. They will identify and present their views and action plan on issues related to business opportunities between the two continents. - Thematic workshops: Thematic workshops will be held throughout the entire day. Experts and leaders from various industries in Africa and Europe will be invited to lead these workshops interactively. They will share their expertise and provide advice on various topics such as: o Energy o Agribusiness o Transport and infrastructure o Innovation and Information Technology o Business culture in Africa o Public-Private Partnerships o Mines Crosscutting issues will also be addressed such as legal and regulatory framework, business, access to financing, project management, the Corporate Social Responsibility...Rooms and all required equipment will be provided. - Investment promotion sessions: opportunities will be given to African officials to promote business incentives and investments opportunities. Rooms and all required equipment will be provided. - B2B area business meetings: On the sidelines of the exhibition, pre-scheduled individual appointments, (selected by participants), will be organized and held in an area arranged for this purpose. - Exhibition stands An exhibition area will be designed to provide an opportunity to promote different services and activities. - - Networking dinner: A walking dinner will be offered to invited participants. It will be an extra opportunity to make informal contacts among business actors present at the Forum. Page 8 of 12
3. DAY 3: May 8 th 2015: TOURISM IN AFRICA The day "Tourism in Africa" will focus on the tourism industry in Africa and will also include business-to-business (B2B) meetings, followed by the opening of an exhibition on tourism in Africa. Target group Goals - African embassies, tourism demonstrator of their country - Professionals of the tourism industry (tour operators, travel agencies, cruises, etc.). - Professionals of the transport industry (airlines, bus companies, etc.). - Professionals of the hospitality industry (hotel groups, cottages, etc.). - Professionals of the cultural and culinary industry - Public and private investors - Project developers - General Public - Promote the development of a sustainable tourism in Africa - Provide an adequate framework and enable contacts between professionals in the African and the European tourism industry - Give visibility to professionals form the African tourism industry - Provide information on tourism opportunities in Africa to the general public - Promote African food and culture through tourism Means - B2B area: personalized business-to-business meetings: Before the exhibition of tourism in Africa, pre-scheduled appointments between professionals will be organized in a specific area. - Thematic sessions: Thematic sessions will be held throughout the entire day. Experts and leaders from various industries in Africa and Europe will be invited to lead these sessions interactively. They will share their expertise and provide advice. Rooms and all required equipment will be provided. - Tourism in Africa Forum: The forum will offer over fifty stands, arranged by category. The forum will also offer opportunities for brief presentations and animations by various exhibitors: o African Embassies: will be invited to present their respective countries and regions and will be sorted by region. A special package will be offered to all Page 9 of 12
represented countries. Top five countries that have expressed interest will be honored and receive greater visibility. o Tourism industry: travel agencies, tour operators, airlines, hotels, airlines, cruises, etc. o Cultural stands: associations, crafts, catering services, etc. o Launch of the magazine "Eathnikal" 4. The Venue: The Mons International Congress Xperience This exceptional building includes auditoriums and meeting rooms equipped with the latest technology. Its accessibility, with ample parking, proximity to high-quality hotels and restaurants, together with its central situation respond to the most demanding expectations for hosting congresses, as well as assemblies, meetings, receptions, product launches, seminars and other events. Page 10 of 12
Check out: http://www.micx.be Page 11 of 12
For more information, please contact EU-AFRICA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Rue de la presse, 4 1000 Brussels Belgium Tel: +32 2 540 27 65 Fax: + 32 2 540 27 66 Email: b2b@eu-africa-cc.org Page 12 of 12