The notion Africa Rising will remain a misnomer unless conditions for doing business on the continent with ease are created, a paradigm shift is realized towards sustainable transformation and development, strategic projects with greater impact are prioritized as well as the harnessing of innovative space.

This conference is designed to bring all these critical success factors into deliberation with the view to concluding with agreements on an implementation plan, accountability structure and assessment mechanism for all adopted projects. Presenters and participants will be drawn from all sectors of society to ascertain comprehensive representation and wider transference of conference commitments.

Event: Virtual Trade Mission To Kenya

On March 16, the WTCLA, Consulate General of the Republic of Kenya in Los Angeles, and the Mayor’s Office of International Affairs are hosting a virtual trade mission to Kenya. This trade mission is a series of fact-finding mission events that provides qualifying California companies with cutting-edge market insights and crucial connections into one of the most vibrant economies in Africa. The mission will prepare and equip companies with the background and connections to be successful in future in-person trade missions to the country. The mission is focused on opportunities in housing and construction, sustainability, and smart city solutions.

Experts and higher officials from Ethiopia will join this virtual Forum. As you know Ethiopia has a large potential for investment. The priority areas include Agriculture, Agro-processing, Textile and Apparel, Leather and Leather products, Pharmaceuticals, Information Technology and Creative Industry, Mining and energy, Tourism and Hospitality among others. In these priority areas of  Investment, we are organizing an Investment Forum.

The Consulate General of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia in Los Angeles would like to cordially invite your company to join the upcoming Ethio-California Investment forum which will be held on March 18, 2021 from 9:00 am- 11:00 am Pacific Time.

Topic: Ethio-California Investment Forum
Time: Mar 18, 2021    09:00 am to 11:00 am Pacific Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81288914765?pwd=T2FLcWlHRlZQTXA1enc4ZlBZVXg4UT09
Meeting ID: 812 8891 4765
Passcode: 655422

Event: Leading a Sustainable Economic Future: The United Kingdom and LA

On March 23, The World Trade Center LA and the British Consulate Los Angeles will present “Leading A Sustainable Economic Future: The United Kingdom and Los Angeles.” Los Angeles and the U.K. are two leading forces in building a sustainable economic future and this program will focus on how the two regions are united by policy and action. This conversation will address how both governments are creating an environment to incentivize private industry to partner on each locale’s aggressive climate policy goals. It will also highlight companies operating successfully in both locations, providing a blueprint for others to follow.

Panel Discussion as part of the Institute of the Americas’ Hemisphere in Transition Webinar Series

DATE:   Thursday, March 25, 2021,  10:00am-11:30am (Pacific Standard Time)

With the Biden Administration there is the growing prospect of a potential reversal of sanctions and regulations imposed by the Trump Administration that resulted in restricting travel, investment and remittances that were made possible under the prior Obama Administration.   At the same time,  President Biden faces a different political landscape with Cuba as human rights abuses continue to be a serious problem in the country,  its intelligence service continues to support Venezuela’s autocratic leader Nicolas Maduro, and unanswered questions about the strange brain trauma injuries experienced by U.S diplomats and their families in Cuba linger. Additionally,  pressure from the American Cuban community against a possible détente between Washington and Havana remains, adding a domestic political dimension to proposed relaxing of sanctions.

In spite of U.S. domestic political pressures, the recent San Isidro Movement led by Cuba’s artistic community –challenging government restrictions on the performing arts and calling for free speech, free assembly, ownership of businesses and political pluralism –provides hope that a new re-set in U.S-Cuba relations could lead to social and political changes on the island that would otherwise not be possible if current sanctions remain.

Given the evolving nature of U.S. bilateral relations with Cuba, the Institute of the Americas plans to organize a special panel discussion, as part of its virtual Hemisphere in Transition Series, with four noted Cuba experts offering a range of views on the topic of U.S-Cuba Bilateral Relations under the Biden Administration.

• William LeoGrande, Associate Vice Provost of Academic Affairs, Department of Government, American University and author of Our Own Backyard: The United States in Central America, 1977 – 1992. Most recently, he is coauthor of Back Channel to Cuba:  The Hidden History of Negotiations between Washington and Havana.
• Richard Feinberg, Professor of Latin American Studies, School for Global Policy & Strategy, UC San Diego, and author of the book, “Open for Business: The New Cuban Economy.”
• Michael J. Bustamante, Assistant Professor of History, Florida International University, and author of Cuban Memory Wars: Retrospective Politics in Revolution and Exile.
• Javier Corrales, Chair of the Political Science Department, Amherst College and co-editor of the book, co-editor with Mario Pecheny of The Politics of Sexuality in Latin America:  A Reader on GLBT Rights.

Early Bird Registration is Open !

2021 NADEC Virtual Annual Export Conference will bring together distinguished speakers, business leaders, high ranking U.S. and foreign government officials, exporters, service providers, and trade promotion agencies via ZOOM. We will discuss the latest news and updates on Trade Policy, Export Market Opportunities, and the new Challenges surrounding the U.S. exporters. Trade Policy Updates include Vital Elements of Modern Trade Agreements, Global Trade and Exporting Post COVID-19, US-UK FTA Update, and Opportunities in Africa including the US-Kenya FTA Update. Sessions on Export Opportunities and Challenges will address EXIM Bank and SBA Programs to assist Exporters, Virtual Gold Keys and Trade Shows, DEC Partnerships with Like-Minded Organizations, and Using DEC Resources to further Exports – How to get the word out to more SMEs.

Dates and Times: May 26, 12:00 – 5:15 EST and May 27, 12:00 – 5:00 EST

Cost: Early Bird Price of $75 until April 15, 2021; After 4/15, price increases to $99

Group Discount – Buy 3 registrations, Get 1 registration FREE! (Contact NADEC for special code.)

Open to All Exporters and Business Leaders!

Please see AmCham Colombia for more info.

Los Angeles is home to United States’ largest county economy, with an annual GDP of over $707 billion. With 88 fantastic cities and over 100 unincorporated areas within Los Angeles County, investment opportunities here are unrivaled throughout the nation. In fact, FDI Cities Magazine ranked Los Angeles 5th in the world for return on foreign investment. More than 18 million consumers live in the five counties that make up the Greater Los Angeles Region, establishing the area as one of the United States’ largest and most attractive marketplaces for every business type. Over 10,300 foreign- owned enterprises have already selected Southern California as their U.S. landing pad, with more selecting Los Angeles each week.

As international companies enter a new market, they often struggle to find the right local partners to integrate into this complex region. The needs of international companies are unique, and a holistic strategy must be carefully developed to navigate business channels and discover the right opportunity in Los Angeles. This is the essence of the Select LA Investment Summit. Select LA provides international and local companies with a comprehensive understanding of the region’s investment ecosystem with actionable insights that can guide key business decisions.

Through matchmaking technology and over four hours of networking, Select LA offers the perfect environment to create and foster new relationships with individuals who are responsible for turning a conversation into an investment opportunity. Just as important as a connection is understanding the local processes and protocol to ensure successful transactions, which is why we gather state and local government officials in addition to private businesses.

The World Trade Center Los Angeles and the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation are delighted to jointly host the summit, presenting an array of opportunities to match international investors with local partners, such as table exhibits, one-on-one interactions, plenary panels and breakout sessions led by local and international executives.