AFRICAN UNION BIAT WORKSHOP ON TRADE FINANCE AND TRADE INFORMATION IN AFRICA DRAFT AGENDA

Transcription

1 AFRICAN UNION BIAT WORKSHOP ON TRADE FINANCE AND TRADE INFORMATION IN AFRICA Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania September, 2017 DRAFT AGENDA DAY 1 8h-8h30 Registration Participants will register for the Meeting Ms. Tsige Gusa, Department of Trade and Industry, 8h30-9h00 09h00-09h10 Opening of the Workshop Adoption of the Agenda and organization of Work Officials from AUC, Government of Tanzania and USAID will deliver opening remarks Under this Agenda item, the workshop will consider the Draft agenda, the working hours and other practical arrangements that will facilitate the smooth running of the workshop, with a view to adopting them. Master of Ceremony (Ministry of Trade and Industry, Tanzania) Mr. Nadir Merah, Representative of the Director, Department of Trade and Industry, African Union Commission Carrie GRAY (nee Abendroth), Trade Advisor, AF/SD/EGEA, USAID/Washington Government of Tanzania, Secrétaire Général Adjoint, Ministère du Commerce et de la Promotion du Secteur Privé, Republic of Niger 1/5

2 9h10-10h00 Improving Trade Finance and Market Information to enhance regional integrated value chain and industry development This session will set the stage for the rest of the Workshop, by providing an overview of trade finance and trade information. In particular, it will draw the linkage between trade finance and trade information and boosting intra-african trade through regional value chains and industrialization, with the ultimate objective of achieving the goals and aspirations under Agenda Presenter Dr. Henry Kibet Mutai, Consultant, Adjunct Lecturer, Riara University, Nairobi. 10h30-12h00 Trade Finance: African private sector perspectives Among the challenges to intra-african trade, is poorly developed financial markets and the lack of widely available trade finance for smaller exporters, producer groups, cooperatives, SMEs and new entrants. This trade finance gap is an obstacle to building a more inclusive trading system and a hindrance to boosting intra-african trade. A panel of private sector representative, women and youth entrepreneurs will share their experience in relation to GAPs and Challenges they face in Accessing Trade Finance. Will share their experience of accessing trade finance. Mr. Kefa Nyakundi, Consultant Ms. Gallina Tembo, Industry Programs officer, COMESA Business Council Nelly-Francoise COMTE, Coordinatrice CERPAC Ms. Mulu Janet, Trade Products, Manager, Ecobank 13h00-14h30 State of Trade Finance in Africa This session will provide opportunities for the main institutions in trade finance, to discuss existing trade finance schemes and practices and how they can support boosting intra-african trade. The session will also discuss US Government Finance Programs to maximize opportunities under AGOA and increase Africa-US trade and investment Ms. Safavian, World Bank Mr. Gabriel Negatu, Director General for East Africa, AfDB Mr. Gerald Nsomba, Manager of Intra-African Trade/ Mr. Emeka Onyia, Manager Innovation and Product Development Afrexim bank Mr. Mabouha Diagne, Deal Structuring & Financial Modeling, The Trade and Development 2/5

3 14h30-15h30 15h30-16h00 Breakout Sessions on Trade Finance Participants will be divided into working groups to discuss strategies and recommendations on Reducing the knowledge gap in trade finance and increasing access to affordable Trade Finance; Improving the Trade Finance policy environment to support intra- African trade opportunities. Bank, Nairobi, Kenya Mr. Terry Wyer, Director of Finance and Investment, USAID, Southern Africa Trade and Investment Hub Mr. Kefa Nyakundi, Consultant Ms. Mehnaz Safavian, World Bank 16h00-17h30 Plenary Discussions on Trade Finance Rapporteurs of the Breakout Sessions will present their observations and recommendations, followed by a general discussion Mr. Nadir Merah, Division of Trade, Day 2 8h30-10h00 Trade Information: African private sector perspectives More than in any other sector, information is critical in any trade and investment decisions. One of the main constraints hampering intra- African trade is the absence of detailed market research and the inadequate information on market opportunities, import and export formalities and procedures. By contrast, many businesses find it easier to get information on trade with non-african countries than information on trade with businesses within the continent. This session will provide an opportunity for the private sector to share its perspective on this issue Mr. Nicomed M. Bohay, Managing Director, Private Agricultural Sector Support, (PASS) Trust, Tanzania Mr. Asrat Bekele; Executive Director (Addis) PACCI Mr. Meba Essohouna; FEWACCI Mrs. Vinah Ganoo, Director, Flora Marketing 10h30-12h00 State of Trade Information in Africa While availability and accessibility of trade information remains an issue throughout the continent, there are several ongoing national and regional initiatives across the continent aimed at addressing the same. 3/5 Daniel J. Plunkett, consultant

4 This session will provide an opportunity for the Workshop to take stock of current existing national and regional trade information systems, focusing on successful initiatives and best practices which could be enhanced. Dr. Sacko Seydou, Program Officer, Informal Trade and Competition and Trade, ECOWAS Kenya Mr. Yusuf Abdalla, Regional Trade Adviser, COMESA Ms. Noha Syam, Egypt 13h00-14h30 14h30-15h30 16h00-17h30 Toward an integrated African trade information system and the African Trade Observatory. Breakout session on trade information Plenary Discussions on Trade Information This Session will build upon the previous session by reflecting on envisaged and existing initiatives on Trade information at the African Union Commission and various initiatives by USAID through Trade and Investment hubs projects. Participants will be divided into working groups to discuss strategies and recommendations on Addressing gaps and challenges on trade data information availability at the national, regional and continental levels Creating synergies between existing trade information systems Rapporteurs of the Breakout Sessions will present their observations and recommendations, followed by a general discussion Mr. Joseph Rwanshote, IGAD Yohannes Assefa Director, Agriculture and Agribusiness USAID,EATIH, Nairobi, Kenya AUC- Private sector Trade Information Network Mr. Mondher Mimouni, Chief, Trade and Market intelligence, Division of Market Development, International Trade Centre Daniel J. Plunkett, consultant Mr. Mondher Mimouni, ITC Mr. Jean Bertrand Azapmo, Regional Trade Advisor, Day 3 4/5

5 09h00-10h00 Monitoring Trade Finance and Trade Information under the BIAT Action Plan This session will discuss tools and framework to track the trade finance and trade information gap and monitor the implementation of priorities identified in relation to Trade Finance and Trade Information under the BIAT Action Plan. Presenter Ms. Lily Sommer; Economic Affairs Officer, UNECA 10h30-11h30 11h30-12h00 Way forward on Implementation of BIAT Recommendations on Trade Information and Trade Finance Evaluation of Workshop This session will discuss implementation of priorities identified during the breakout session and identify the next steps moving forward. This will include identifying key short and medium-term activities, resources needed and discussing the potential role that partners could play enhancing Trade Finance and Trade Information in Africa. The Participants will evaluate the Workshop in terms of its effectiveness in addressing the issues of trade Finance and Trade Information Mr. Chiza Charles Newton CHIUMYA, Senior Trade Officer, Division of Trade, Ms. Tsige Gusa + USAID 13h00-15h30 Finalization of draft outcomes document Based on recommendations from the Workshop, the Secretariat will refine and finalize a draft Programme of Action for Enhancing Trade Finance and Trade Information in Africa for adoption AUC 15h30-16h00 Adoption of recommendations of the Workshop Participants will discuss key elements for the Workshop report for consideration by African Ministers of Trade, which will be a policy paper on trade finance and trade information 16h00 Workshop Closure Representatives from AUC, USAID and Tanzania will give their closing remarks and officially close the Meeting Mr. Nadir Merah, Representative of the Director, Department of Trade and Industry, African Union Commission Alicia Robinson-Morgan, USAID TANZANIA 5/5