Exporting Logistics Seminar: Exploring Oil and Gas Staging and Warehousing for West Africa in the Canary Islands
Name:
Exporting Logistics Seminar: Exploring Oil and Gas Staging and Warehousing for West Africa in the Canary Islands
Date:
September 22, 2015
Time:
7:45 AM - 9:30 AM CDT
Event Description:
Exporting Logistics Seminar: Exploring Oil and Gas Staging and Warehousing for West Africa in the Canary Islands
Organized by the U.S. Commercial Service U.S. Department of Commerce, the Houston West Chamber of Commerce and the Canary Island Government/Canary Islands Hub, this event will provide an industry forum for increasing U.S. exports of products and services to West Africa.
AGENDA
7:30 – 7:45 am
REGISTRATION AND NETWORKING, BREAKFAST
7:40 – 7:50 am
WELCOMING REMARKS
Brendan Kelly, Senior International Trade Specialist, U.S. Department of Commerce Commercial Service
7:50 – 8:20 am
EXPLORING REGIONAL LOGISTICS HUB PACKAGING AND SHIPPING
8:20 - 9:00 am
HOW ENERGY FIRMS USE THE CANARY ISLANDS FOR LOGISTICS STAGING TO WEST AFRICA
Mr. Pablo Martin Carbajal, General Director for Economic African Affairs, The Canary Islands Government
9:00 - 9:15 am
UPCOMING TRADE MISSION TO CANARY ISLANDS
Ms. Quelia Delgado, Economic Liaison Officer for US & Canada
The trade mission will support the Obama Administration’s Doing Business in Africa and Power Africa initiatives
9:15 – 9:30 am
Q&A
MARKET REGIONAL OVERVIEW
Why West Africa?
At over 5% GDP, West Africa had the strongest economic growth of the African continent in 2014. This rapid growth is generating opportunities and prosperity in all industry sectors.
An EU and Tax Friendly Strategic Hub. The Canary Islands (Spain), a European Union (EU) region located just 60 miles off the coast of West Africa, are becoming a strategic platform for global companies that need to reach economies of scale to expand in the markets of Sub‐Saharan Africa. The Canaries are an ideal location for operational centers and bases of expats providing top logistic services and maritime connectivity with over 40 ports in Africa, a very competitive local labor market, and a highly stable political and EU legal framework including a special 4% corporate tax regime. USAID, the UN World Food Program, and the International Red Cross, have located their logistic centers for West Africa in the Canaries.
The purpose of this seminar and the upcoming certified trade mission (http://go.usa.gov/3PnGe) is to help U.S. firms in the energy, environmental technologies, industrial equipment and supplies, logistics, infrastructure and related sectors access West African markets; find regional business partners in the Canary Islands to sell U.S. products and services in West Africa; and highlight the advantages of setting up an operation in this booming hub. The event is open to all qualified U.S. firms.
This powerful oil and gas producing region vital to the needs of U.S. technology and experience in order to continue to maintain high levels of production from fields that are entering the end of their lifecycle, in technically difficult locations, or just in planning stages. The Canary Islands provides a safe jumping of point to West Africa where companies can stage logistics and sales to the region in a safe EU environment. The oil and gas machinery and services market represents an important opportunity for U.S. companies in this region. This seminar aims to explore how to increase productivity in sales and logistics from a safe and close port of entry so logistic companies that suppliers can take advantage of the tremendous potential.
This seminar is generously sponsored by the Government of the Canary Islands
