CDE news

CDE Trade Mission to Mali and Burkina Faso: exceptional outcome for Monaco companies28/02/2012 - 28/02/2012

In the wake of the official delegation accompanying HSH Prince Albert II on his trip to Mali and Burkina Faso, the Monaco Chamber of Economic Development led a delegation of Monaco companies which, according to early reports, made extremely positive and concrete progress. 

Led by Vincent Lozza, General Manager Membership Development & Services at the CDE, the business delegation comprised nine companies in the banking, insurance, logistics, transport, international trade, and ITC (information technology and communications) sectors. 

In Bamako on the 13th and 14th, then Ouagadougou on 15 and 16 February, the whole group followed a very focused and targeted programme, meticulously prepared by the CDE over several months. Last October’s visit to Monaco by Mali President Amadou Toumani Toure, and the work done beforehand with the Principality’s consular network, had identified the sectors and company profiles with real potential for development.
 
Honoured to assume the role of business ambassadors for the Principality, alongside the official Monegasque delegation, Vincent Lozza and the 15 entrepreneurs present took part in a number of official meetings with their Mali and Burkina Faso hosts. These meetings proved very fruitful as their hosts had brought with them the networks and information required to progress development of their trading ties.
 
Interviewed at the end of his visit to Mali and Burkina Faso by Monaco Info, HSH the Sovereign Prince confirmed the strong interest shown in the business delegation: “The initial feedback from these meetings between business leaders from the two countries suggests the results are very encouraging. Although some already had contacts and activities in place, others will be in a position to develop theirs when they sign contracts in the days and weeks to come. These trips are an excellent opportunity to make contacts, which contributes to the economic development of the countries visited but also the Principality.”
 
Already this trip is shaping up to be among the best of the CDE’s missions in terms of results.
 
Out of the nine companies participating, eight concluded or are in the final stages of signing agreements with Mali and/or Burkina Faso industry players. Two companies firmed up projects, with one setting up a branch in the logistics sector in Mali and the other obtaining two permits, to look for iron ore and opening a representative’s office in Bamako. Other agreements are in the final stages for four companies, in the food processing industry (opening of a shopping centre and purchase of several hundred hectares of cereal crop land), in insurance (opening of two branches) and in the ITC sector. Two companies in the logistics sector and ITC have made good contacts which are likely to bear fruit in the medium-term.
 
Already a leading partner for Monaco exports outside Europe, with over 100 million euro registered in 2010, Africa could well consolidate its position this year after this trip.
 
Vincent Lozza introducing the delegation of entrepreneurs from Monaco to the President of the Republic of Mali and HSH Prince Albert II
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
- photo taken during Monaco/Mali business meetings on Tuesday morning, 14 February (photo credit Alain Benainous / allpix)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
- photo of some in the CDE delegation, taken with HSH the Sovereign Prince Albert II on Friday 17 February (photo credit Alain Benainous / allpix). Left to right: Sébastien Vacher (Monaco Telecom), Vincent Lozza (CDE), Patrice Dessaigne, HSH Prince Albert II, Laurent Lafarge (Monaco Telecom), Adnan Houdrouge (M.I.M.), Alpha Oumar Diallo (Monaco Resource Group), Gilles Blin (M.I.M.), Ameur Chiha (Monaco Logistique), Edmond-Patrick Lecourt (Savent Brokers) and Denis Ruyant (Sonema).
 
 
 
 
The companies taking part in this mission were: Ascoma Jutheau&Husson1, BSI Monaco2, ES-KO3, Mercure International of Monaco4, Monaco Logistique5, Monaco Resources Group6, Monaco Telecom7, Savent Bokers8 and Sonema9.
 

1 Ascoma Jutheau&Husson:

An international and independent insurance brokerage group with over 500 employees, Ascoma is the leader in Monaco and controls the first network established in sub-Saharan Africa. Ascoma provides insurance solutions best suited to its clientele be they local or international. The group’s multi-disciplinary teams operate in 22 countries offering their expertise and quality service to companies (SMEs, large companies & international groups), public or quasi-public bodies and individuals.

2 BSI Monaco S.A.M.:

A bank operating under Monaco law, affiliated to BSI SA, one of the oldest Swiss banks founded in Lugano in 1873. In 1998, BSI became part of the Generali group, one of the world’s biggest insurance and finance companies. It is present on all the main international financial markets in Europe, Latin America, the Middle East and Asia. BSI is getting involved in African markets and is keen to support Monegasque companies in their investments.

3 ES-K0:

ES-KO is a leading global logistics company for multi-national projects operating in difficult environments. Core businesses include construction (all types of prefabricated structure; base camps, hospitals, schools, etc); supply, transport and distribution of food supplies (4.5 million meals a month); catering (base camps, embassies, military units); and logistic support services for the private industry sector (mining and oil) and the public sector, particularly peace missions, and those associated with humanitarian and emergency aid.

4 Mercure International of Monaco:

A distribution and retail company with two main areas of expertise: food distribution mainly to supermarkets, and distribution of sports and fashion items to the trade or via its own network of retail outlets. The company is present in Francophone African countries, but also Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, France and the French overseas territories (DOM-TOM), Mauritius and Italy, with the Casino supermarkets, Citysport outlets and fashion shops among other brands.

5 Monaco Logistique (ML):

An international transport company set up in 1997 with ISO 9001, ISO 14001, EOA and IATA certification and customs authorisation. ML has its own fleet of vehicles and offers three modes of transport: by road in all European countries, by sea all over the world particularly the Maghreb countries (Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco) and by air to anywhere in the world. ML works closely with a global network of correspondents and has two subsidiaries based in Marseille and Lyon in France. ML also manages, in partnership with the Monaco government, two logistics hubs in Nice and Carros (France) totalling 22,000 sqm. Nearly all the space is occupied by ML’s industrial clients from the Principality. ML also operates an Urban Distribution Centre to limit large deliveries into the city centre. Several shuttle services a day connect Monaco and the distribution hubs in the neighbouring French département of the Alpes-Maritimes.

6 Monaco Resources Group:

The product portfolio of the Monaco Resources Group embraces a wide range of products in the metals and minerals, agriculture and energy sectors. These are supported by logistics and financial services. Strategy, development and the group’s main decisions are taken in Monaco. The fact they are present along the entire supply chain through to the end user requires diversified investments on a global level, but above all high quality, well established partners in order to provide its customers with the best service.  Monaco Resources Group is present in more than 25 countries and is always keen to explore new markets.

7 Monaco Telecom:

Incumbent operator in the Principality, Monaco Telecom’s expansion abroad has contributed to the company’s growth: 50% of revenues are generated beyond the Principality’s borders. Monaco Telecom has focused its development on Africa through its subsidiary AFINIS, an access and managed network services provider for companies. With its expertise, experience and infrastructure, Monaco Telecom is well positioned as a strategic partner for telecoms operators and public or private institutions to help them deploy and develop their fixed line or mobile network infrastructure projects.

8 Savent Brokers:

A brokerage firm set up in 1956 to export staple food products mainly to Africa. Savent Brokers deal in particular with soybean and cotton, palm oil, fish meal, methionine, lysine, maize, milk and calcium carbide, to name a few of the products. Savent Brokers can also arrange export of industrial materials, caustic soda, plaster and cement. Over the years the company has established privileged contacts with suppliers and can offer customers competitive prices in their markets.

9 Sonema:

An integrator and operator of telecom services SONEMA develops, installs and operates custom-made solutions all over the world: company networks, internet access and multimedia, visio-conferencing, cloud platforms and PRA/PCA are its main areas of expertise. For the last ten years Sonema has been expanding into Africa where it is now present in 38 countries with prestigious clients, particularly in the finance, mining, oil and industry sectors, and government institutions.



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