ON WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 2015, THE MAISON ACP IN BRUSSELS WAS THE SETTING FOR THE LAUNCH OF THE ACTIVITIES OF THE PANAFRICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE FOR SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED ENTERPRISES (CCPA).

Sponsored by the Beninese Embassy in Brussels, the event was attended by private-sector players from the African diaspora, international private-sector financing institutions, representatives of the European Commission and Brussels-based African diplomatic missions.

In his opening address, Mr Daniel Zinsou DANHIN, Chargé d’Affaires ad interim of the Beninese Embassy, representing the absent Ambassador, emphasized the essential role of the private sector as a source of wealth and job creation in the fight against poverty in African countries.

From left to right: Mr HUGO CEREJA, Consultant; HENRI-Marie Dondra, DG of FAGACE, Jean Philippe MERGEN, Export Director of the CCIB and Mohamed GADO, Benin Administrator at FAGACE.

A special session dedicated to the presentation of business opportunities for SMEs in Benin was led by Mr. Angelo DAN, First Secretary in charge of Economic and European Affairs at the Embassy.

Partnering the event, officials from the Fonds Africain de Garantie et de Coopération Economique (FAGACE) based in Cotonou, Benin, took the opportunity to raise awareness of this financial institution and its financing instruments for supporting the private sector and SMEs in Africa.