African Officials To Discuss Communications And Technology Needs In San Francisco
2/27/2007
fiberopticsonline.com
Washington, DC - Establishing the information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure in Africa necessary to support the economic development is the goal of a USTDA-sponsored conference to be held March 19-21, 2007 in San Francisco, California. [fac: United States Trade and Development Agency Website: ustda.gov ] Ministers and other senior government officials from more than 15 African nations will discuss their ICT needs and present more than 25 projects ranging in value from $1 M to $200 M.
The Sub-Saharan Africa Information and Communications Technology Conference: Solutions for a Vibrant ICT Market will provide U.S. company participants with details on new export and investment opportunities in the areas of telecommunications network expansion, fiber networks, submarine communications systems, rural connectivity solutions, telecommunications operator licenses, advanced media services, as well as e-government solutions for health, education and postal services.
“Many African countries have made significant progress in developing their information and telecommunications markets, and increasing Internet access and mobile phone density,” said USTDA Director Thelma J. Askey. “Significant opportunities now exist for U.S. vendors, service providers and investors to increase business in the region, while helping African nations meet growing public demand for information and communications services.”
The conference agenda will also address key policy issues and highlight efforts to expand telecommunications infrastructure, improve delivery of government services, and support the growth of e-commerce. Participating countries are expected to include Algeria, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Congo, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Kenya, Mali, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, and Uganda.
Also expected to participate are representatives of the U.S. Department of State, the U.S. Department of Commerce, the Federal Communications Commission, the U.S. Agency for International Development, and Sub-Saharan African companies interested in partnering with U.S. firms. Officials from international lending institutions, including the Export-Import Bank of the United States and the Overseas Private Investment Corporation, will also be on hand to discuss loan and insurance programs available for ICT exports and investment.
Trade and industry organizations supporting the conference include the Corporate Council on Africa, the U.S. Telecommunications Training Institute and the California Chamber of Commerce. Companies, such as Motorola, Hewlett Packard, QUALCOMM, Alacatel-Lucent and Oracle Corporation, will present information in conference workshops highlighting relevant U.S. technology applications.
Each U.S. participant will receive a resource guide on the projects presented, including critical economic information, export potential, time lines, equipment needs and key contacts. A series of pre-scheduled one-on-one meetings will also enable U.S. participants to meet privately with the African officials and other project representatives. For more information or to register, you can visit the conference website at trademeetings.com, or call Dan Lamey at (866) 636-4729 (toll free in the United States) or (305) 667-4705.
The U.S. Trade and Development Agency advances economic development and U.S. commercial interests in developing and middle-income countries. The agency funds various forms of technical assistance, early investment analysis, training, orientation visits and business workshops that support the development of a modern infrastructure and a fair and open trading environment. USTDA’s strategic use of foreign assistance funds to support sound investment policy and decision-making in host countries creates an enabling environment for trade, investment and sustainable economic development. In carrying out its mission, USTDA gives emphasis to economic sectors that may benefit from U.S. exports of goods and services.
SOURCE: Sub-Saharan Africa Information and Communications Technology Conference & USTDA
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