CMO Exploring Conference 2010 to create and promote business and investment in Central Africa

This year’s theme for the CMO Exploring Conference 2010 is “Today’s reality, tomorrow’s potential,” and will cover the risks of trading in Africa and how to minimize them, along with Cemac’s efforts towards a friendlier trade environment. This year’s conference will be held on October 6, 2010 at the Grand Connaught Room in Central London.

Participants in the CMO Exploring Conference 2010 will learn firsthand about investment opportunities in Central Africa with a focus on CEMAC projects; hear current and concise project and legislation updates by senior executives and government officials of listed companies and countries on their CEMAC projects; gain practical, expert knowledge about operating and doing business in the CEMAC region; and make valuable contacts through high-level networking opportunities.

The beauty and potential of Equatorial Guinea and Gabon alone is one of Africa’s best kept secrets. Gabon has been developing its luxury and niche tourism market with such activities as bush expeditions and safari trips. The country’s attractions include beaches, fishing, the falls on the Ogooué River, and the Crystal Mountains. Tourists also come to see the famous hospital founded by Dr. Albert Schweitzer in Lambaréné.

The CMO Exploring Conference 2010 aims to:

– Raise awareness of the bio-diversity in Central Africa
– Create business and investment opportunities for UK businesses
– Help delegates work towards a better understanding in operating or conducting businesses in the Cemac Region
– Promote the importance of the region’s natural resources and their responsibility towards preserving the eco-system

What is CMO?
CMO is a group of like-minded people, involving professionals ranging from surveyor, consultant, journalist, merchant banker, economist, anthropologist, retired lecturer, executive director, NGO, and voluntary organizations.

CMO specializes in developing economic relationships between the Cemac countries in Central Africa and the UK. CMO also supports the Cemac by organizing conferences to promote opportunities in the various sectors.

In recent years, Asian government and companies are recognizing the opportunity in Africa’s rise and subsequently Central Africa. China has become the second country only to the United States or even the largest importer of oil from Africa. It is far ahead of the United States and Britain in export to Africa. Therefore, will Great Britain be left behind? Not if we can help it!

Britain has been identified as the biggest donor in the Cemac region for sustainable development and the eco-system. In fact, when the UK took over the chair of the G8, the investment climate facility for Africa was set up. Its role seeks to help Africa create a more attractive business environment and realize its potential as a global player and trading partner. With regards to UK support towards the economic community of Central African states, their commitment is without question. Beyond that, as in many other markets across the world, British goods and services are synonymous with quality and excellence. UK companies have the right skills, expertise, and capabilities across a range of sectors to help Cemac build its economy.

The CMO Conference 2010 gives delegates the forum to participate and forge future business links, which will lead to the development of a business relationship that will give birth to a Cemac/UK trade partnership and maybe cooperation.

What is Cemac?
The Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa (or CEMAC from its name in French, Communauté Économique et Monétaire de l’Afrique Centrale) is an organization of states of Central Africa established by Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, and Gabon to promote economic integration among countries that share a common currency, the CFA franc. UDEAC signed a treaty for the establishment of CEMAC to promote the entire process of sub-regional integration through the forming of monetary union with the Central Africa CFA franc as a common currency; it was officially superseded by CEMAC in June 1999 (through agreement from 1994).

CEMAC’s objectives are the promotion of trade, the institution of a genuine common market, and greater solidarity among peoples and towards under-privileged countries and regions. In 1994, it succeeded in introducing quota restrictions and reductions in the range and amount of tariffs. Currently, CEMAC countries share a common financial, regulatory, and legal structure, and maintain a common external tariff on imports from non-CEMAC countries. In theory, tariffs have been eliminated on trade within CEMAC, but full implementation of this is still in progress. Movement of capital within CEMAC is free.

The Cemac countries, having literally no commercial desk with the UK and have proven to be a headache for clients, i.e., exporters and businesses who wish to export to the Cemac countries. The role of the conference is to increase Cemac countries’ visibility and the knowledge and level of service required by the UK market. The conference will provide relevant information and promote, highlight, and create awareness about Cemac’s rising opportunities.

For more information on the CMO Exploring Conference 2010, go to: www.cmolondon.com .