Engage Africa Autumn '11

„connecting today's business people‟

City profile:- Douala, Cameroon

Engage:Africa Autumn Edition

Case Study—UK Trade & Investment UK Trade & Investment is the Government organisation that supports companies in the UK doing business internationally and overseas enterprises seeking to set up or expand in the UK. Its role is to help companies realise their international business potential through knowledge transfer, and on-going partnership support. To support its aim to "enhance the competitiveness of comUK Trade & Investpanies in the UK ment is a UK governthrough overseas trade ment organisation. We and investments; and help UK companies do attract a continuing business abroad - and high level of quality forwe help overseas com- eign direct investment",

UK Trade & Investment offers services to: UK businesses that want to grow their business internationally and to overseas businesses that to want to locate in the UK. UK Trade & Investment is an international organisation with headquarters in London and Glasgow.

Across its network

UK Trade & Investment brings together the work of the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

It draws staff and associated administration funding from both parent departments, but has its own stream of programme funding, for which the Chief Executive is directly responsible as accounting officer.

UK Trade & Investment employs around 2,300 staff and advisers, including overseas in UK embassies, high commissions, consulates and trade offices, and in the nine English regions.

panies do business in the UK.

Example Business Opportunity Canada: wide range of giftware, dinnerware, toiletries, gardening products & furniture fittings.

2) Dinnerware: bone china dinnerware, serving ware and holloware.

Have a look at the Products & Services required.

1) Giftware: nonseasonal table-top ornaments, such as figurines and frames; reproduction antique toys; decorative table clocks; decorative household items made of papier mache; ceramic cookie moulds.

3) Toiletries: natural toiletry products, such as soaps, oils, skin creams, cleansers, etc; bath salts; professional spa products (for spa treatments); innovative professional spa equipment.

4) Gardening products: planters and garden containers; gardening accessories; stainless steel tools; gardentheme gifts

INSIDE THE AUTUMN EDITION

UK Trade & Investment Business Opportunity Today’s Black Professional

5) Furniture fittings for furniture manufacturers: Sector Focus—Food high quality decorative drawer pulls and door International Links knobs; drawer slides; and related fittings.

Douala City Profile

The Market Place

Today’s Black Professional—Profile: Rene’ Carayol

Quote “Inspirational

and enjoyable' The Prime Minister's Delivery Unit

René's focus is on business transformation, leadership and talent, bound together with a compelling philosophy founded on his own board-level experience.

René‟s next big TV venture is on

BBC2 starting on January 5th at 20:00. The 8 part series is called „Pay off Your Mortgage in 2 Years‟, and this series really will be trying to deliver what it says on the can. 8 brave sets of volunteers will be trying to pay off their mortgage in 2 years.

They are a cross section of „ordinary‟ people who need some help, guidance and inspiration. René will be presenter, mentor and coach for these volunteers.

„what would provide you with most freedom?‟ 85% of those asked responded „paying off their mortgage!‟ This is a tough challenge and will require some serious discipline, determination and drive. It can be done, but it is not easy. If you could pay off your mortgage in 2 years, would you try? Why wouldn‟t you?

A recent BBC survey asked

LEADERSHIP IN THE WILDERNESS There is nothing more fulfilling than working closely with a leadership team as they develop strong values and hone a performance ethic. It is even better when the team has the ability to absorb new and diverse members quickly and positively. We were

meeting for an important and straight talking Leadership Summit. The thought of working with an ambitious and optimistic leadership team that is forever looking to improve, coupled with a unique location, was energising and exciting. As we bore

down into Walvis Bay, Namibia, a sea of orange desert with no sign of life - only severe electricity pylons broke up the silent sands.

SELFLESS LEADERSHIP Kapoi, our Namibian guide at the Palmwag Rhino Camp, sat and listened intently to all our conversations without ever being intrusive. It later transpired, that by listening to all of us so carefully, Kapoi understood how better to lead us.

However, this was a special sort of leadership, he

encouraged us to do what we Living proof that inspired leaders do not require rank, desired and he ensured safety, security and comfort. status or authority.

He was both mentally and physically alert and able to meet our changing requirements with a smile and the most gentle of additional instruction.

AUTUMN EDITION

Sector Focus—Food co-ordinator.

Bizarrely, he partly owes Regardless of who his successful career to you are there’s famous war recruiter Lord nothing like tucking Kitchener, who caught Euten‟s eye one morning in into good grub.

1989 when he was beating And chef Euten Lindsay‟s the streets looking for culinary creations have been work. “At the time I was enjoyed by the likes of unemployed,” says Euten, George Michael, Jools 38. “I didn‟t want my Holland and Richard Black- daughter to go to school wood. and when asked what her Euten, from Upper Nor- daddy did to say, „He‟s wood, is Addington Palace‟s unemployed‟. I couldn‟t sous chef (second chef) and bear that. the African Caribbean events “I was walking past an

Good Food

agency which had a poster of Lord Kitchener dressed as a chef, saying your country needs you. I saw that, went into the agency and I haven‟t looked back since.

“The best thing about being a chef is making someone happy by cooking them a meal they really like. Watching people eating and seeing a smile on their face.”

UK Trade & Development Advisors offers a range of services including: Specialist marketing,

Business mentoring,

IT and e-commerce consultancy,

Access to new business opportunities

Marketing and design packages,

Specialist Industry networking events

Bid writing and tender preparation,

Assistance with achieving quality marks

Specialist sector-specific business support,

Environmental Audits And much more…

Training,

AN AFRICAN ELEGY We had come together because of our common goal of a real commitment to leadership and a desire to be a force for good. We were of the most varied backgrounds, one of us of Chinese origin, one German, one South African, one British and my mixture of African and British, this was somehow both symbolic and important. This great and forgiving continent of Africa had given us the opportunity to forget the media, the

mobiles, the laptops and the pressure.

We found trust, we gave respect and we emerged as friends.

Unforgettable!

"Don't let your past dictate your future" - Sierra Leonean Proverb.

LEADERSHIP ESSENTIALS 1 Our pasts are important but it is our futures that are vital.

2 Be true to what you believe in, the best leaders are authentic leaders.

3 We all need to find a „special‟ place and make time to stay in touch with who we truly are.

Engage:Africa UK Trade & Development Advisors The Paradox Centre 3 Ching Way Chingford, London E4 8YD Phone: 0203 514 2929 E-mail: info@uktda.com

City profile:- Douala,

The Market Place Douala City :—

Cameroon

Development Plan detailing €480 Million of procurement opportunities entering second year of process.

Brazzaville: —

Republic of Congo

Development Plan in place details to follow#

We are Online! www.uktda.com

Abidjan: —

Ivory Coast

Major reconstruction works soon to be underway look out for procurement and contracting opportunities Kinshasa: —

Democratic Republic of Congo

Development Plan in place details to follow# ACP watch process started look out for up and coming procurement and contracting

“opportunities Douala City - Cameroon - Central Africa multiply as Imagine a place that is a dream places to meet. Just like Douala and administration, being the they are destination for today‟s business City‟s range of excellent hotels most important. Along the city's traveler to and conference centres. You main thorough-fare lie some of Africa. When really want a city with good Cameroon's best restaurants, seized.” you arrive at infrastructure, a city that is plan- coffee houses and French-style the Internaning for tomorrow and deliver- patisseries; along the waterfront, Sun Tzu tional Airing today. many bars and bistros may be

Douala: A centre for African culture and fashion

port you will want easy access to your goods at a modern well appointed International Sea port.

Because time is money you need to be within 2 hours of 80% of Africa to be able to choose the best market for your goods. You need to be in a place where doing business is made easy.

A city that is planning for tomorrow and delivering today.

Where you do come across red tape, you would like an agency dedicated to cutting through the tape for you. Something like the Douala City Development Agency for example.

To do business, you need high speed internet access, good

Well imagine no more welcome to Douala City - Cameroon‟s Economic Capital.

Douala is the largest city in Cameroon and the capital of Cameroon's Littoral Province.

Home to Cameroon's largest port and its major international airport, consequently, it handles most of the country's major exports, such as oil, cocoa and coffee, timber, metals and fruits.

Douala is the richest city in the whole CEMAC region of 11 countries. The city is divided into quarters with Akwa, being Douala's nightlife center, and Bonanjo, its center of commerce

found, commanding views of the Gulf of Guinea and the nearby mangrove .

Many of these are frequented by the city's large expatriate population, mainly French or Lebanese, most of whom work in the petroleum industry. Douala is the 27th most expensive city in the world and the most expensive in Africa, overtaking Lagos, Nigeria at 32nd. It was ranked 27th for 2009, up from 34th in 2008. In 2007 it was ranked 24th in the world and 1st in Africa.

The city is located on the banks of the Wouri River, the two sides linked by Bonaberi Bridge. Its population in 2008 was recorded at close to 3,000,000.