Côte d’Ivoire is a member of the ECOWAS/UEMOA. The ECOWAS/UEMOA membership benefits include free trade and free circulation of goods and people. The UEMOA functions like one unique state even though there are many countries. Also, Côte d’Ivoire has excellent relations with Nigeria which should result into a new era of economic cooperation on a the sub-regional level.
H.E. Bruno Nabagné Kone, Minister of Post and ICT of Côte d’Ivoire
ICT in Côte d’Ivoire has a relatively mixed status in the country’s economy. There has been a very strong evolution over the past fifteen years. The penetration rate is now approaching seventy-five percent which is relatively high compared to the African average. GSM remains to be the main communication tool. The country is lagging behind in the issue of Internet.
Fabrice Desgardin, Chief Executive Officer of CFAO Automotive
The CFAO group – Groupe Compagnie Française de l’Afrique Occidentale – has been in Africa for over 120 years. Côte d’Ivoire is an ideal example of what CFAO does throughout the Africa. It has four main areas of activity; the automotive, pharmaceuticals distribution, technology and, lastly, industrial.
Diomandé Moussa, Chief Executive Officer of GLS Catering
GLS Catering, an Ivorian company, is the leader in outsourcing and facility management in Côte d’Ivoire. GLS Catering provides catering, housekeeping, facility management, cleaning and laundry services. The group also provides take-away services. GLS Catering is active in 8 countries: Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Kurdistan-Iraq, Benin, Gabon, Congo, France and the UK.
Mr. Billon of Chambre de Commerce et d’Industrie de Côte d’Ivoire talks about the recent crisis in Côte d’Ivoire and its consequences on the commerce and industry in the country that was ahead of Morocco, Tunisia and even Singapore in the period between 1960 and 1985. Côte d’Ivoire is now working on the new investment goals; the last one dates back to 1995.
Mohamed Bourgi, Managing Director of Leader General Industry
Leader General Industry is a young and very dynamic company which produces SEMCO, PVC pipes, plastics, and paints among others. For the close future, Leader General Industry has a plan to to triple its production capacity and install a new production unit which will allow to manufacture at least twice more than at the moment in the field of plastics and paint.
Ramzi Omais, Chief Executive Officer of SOTICI (Société de Transformation Industrielle en Côte d’Ivoire)
SOTICI – Société de Transformation Industrielle en Côte d’Ivoire – is the first and the top PVC pipe manufacturer in Africa. Among others, SOTICI also manufactures Polyethylene (PE) pipes and PVC fittings. SOTICI has a policy of ‘number one quality’ and was the first in Côte d’Ivoire to obtain a French quality diploma.
Mahamadou Sylla, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of IPS WA (Industrial Promotion Services West Africa)
IPS WA focuses on the development of industry and infrastructure to boost the economic and business development of Côte d’Ivoire and of other countries of West Africa in which the company operates.
Yves Boha Djere, President of the Board of Directors of the Société Multinationale de Bitumes (SMB) and Thomas Camara, Chief Executive Officer of SMB
The Société Multinationale de Bitumes was founded in 1976 to respond to the need for suitable infrastructure and thus the bitumen production in Côte d’Ivoire began. Up to date, 5 600 km of bituminized roads have been built by Societe Multinationale de Bitumes.
Providing business opportunities for aspiring entrepreneurs. First event of its kind for Bahrain organised by BATELCO.
