"This is significant, as the presence of BNDES will ensure discussions and partnerships at the south-south level which in today's economy has become a growing trend," explains Ines Bastos, senior programme manager at EMRC and AFIF2014 manager. "The Brazilian delegation will be on hand to discuss and find potential partners which is extremely significant for us as organisers and for all those coming from across Africa and Europe."
The Africa Finance & Investment Forum, entitled Financing Business Opportunities, will take place on 4 and 5 June 2014 at the DEG headquarters in view of Germany's deep seated heritage as a world leading business, economic and financial hub. The Forum will play host to the two hundred selected professionals and decision makers coming from Africa, Europe and beyond.
The Brazilian Development Bank, main financing agent for development in Brazil, will show-case Brazil-Africa partnership opportunities. Since its foundation in 1952, the BNDES' operations have evolved in accordance with the Brazilian socio-economic challenges, and now they include support for exports, technological innovation, sustainable socio-environmental development and the modernisation of public administration.
BNDES' mission is to foster sustainable and competitive development in the Brazilian economy, generating employment while reducing social and regional inequalities. BNDES is committed to the development of Brazilian society in an integrated fashion, which patently includes the social, regional and environmental scope.
Brazil today, together with Russia, India, China and South Africa, forms the bloc of emerging economics known as BRICS. Present on the African continent since 2013, the bank plans to broaden its relations with regional and local institutions, as well as furthering its know-how concerning Africa's business environment. The bank's presence in Africa is expected to help boost business between Brazil and the continent, contributing to mutual economic development. The BNDES' efforts also reaffirm the Brazilian government's priority to relations with Africa.
Alongside the Brazilian delegation, participants will range from entrepreneurs seeking partnerships, policy makers, financiers, African governmental officials, venture capitalists, investors and bankers looking for successful investment opportunities. In addition, AFIF2014 will provide business-to-business sessions for two entire afternoons, where participants, speakers and partners can sit down for one-on-one meetings conducive for potential business partnerships. Last year's forum saw around 700 meetings taking place.
Parallel to this, AFIF2014 will also host the Project Incubator Award, an EMRC initiative aimed to encourage entrepreneurship in Africa. Held in conjunction with the forums (Agribusiness & AFIF), a call is sent out to entrepreneurs to put forward their project proposals. Finalists present their projects at the forum and the winner is announced at the networking evening, receiving a cash prize.
