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| 15:00 – 17:30 |
Registration: Intercontinental Hotel Hibiscus Ballroom Foyer |
| 19:00 – 20:30 |
Welcome Reception at the Maritim Hotel, Beachside Gazebo
Dress: Casual
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| 07:30 – 17:45 |
Registration: Intercontinental Hotel Hibiscus Ballroom Foyer |
| 09:00 – 09:45 |
Welcome and Opening – Hibiscus Ballroom
This session welcomes participants by the co- hosts, informs participants about the concept behind Origin Africa, raising awareness about Africa as a sourcing destination for the supply of cotton, textile products, fabrics and clothing, as well as a special welcome from the Government of Mauritius
| Speakers: |
Mr Mukesh Gopal, Chairman, Mauritius Export Association (MEXA) |
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Rajeev Arora, Executive Director, African Cotton & Textile Industries Federation (ACTIF) |
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Stephen Walls, Chief of Party, USAID Competitiveness & Trade Expansion (COMPETE) Program , Kenya |
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Mr. Amédée Darga, Chairman, Enterprise Mauritius, Mauritius |
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Mary Jo Wills, Ambassador, US Embassy, Mauritius |
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Hon Arvind Boolell, Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Cooperation |
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| 09:45 – 11:00 |
SESSION 1
Sustainability, the Neo Consumer & the Eco Environment - Hibiscus Ballroom
Learn about global and regional initiatives on key sustainability developments and strategies across the cotton, textile and clothing supply chain, future trends and consumer expectations
| Speakers |
Chris Sarette, Invisible Children, USA |
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Steve Jeseph, WRAP, USA |
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Benoit Schmitt, Rexizon C.E., Mauritius |
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Mr. V. Zaffalon, Flainox SRL, Italy |
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Matthias Knappe, International Trade Center, Switzerland |
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| 11:00 – 11:30 |
Coffee break – Beachside, Hibiscus Ballroom |
| 11:30 – 13:00 |
SESSION 2
New Product Developments & Innovation along the CTA Value Chain - Hibiscus Ballroom
In this session we will look at new products, cotton fabric and fiber technology developments, innovations in application & design, and future trends. Followed by questions and answers
| Speakers |
Marsha Powell, Cotton Inc., & Cotton Intl., USA |
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Ronald Hughes, Glodina, South Africa |
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Eddy Yeung, Fernery Spinning Mills, Mauritius |
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Dr. Jaquelene Robeck, College of the Arts, University of Louisiana, USA |
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| 13:00 – 14:15 |
Lunch break – Senso Restaurant |
| 14:15 – 15:30 |
SESSION 3
Integrating Design & Marketing - Hibiscus Ballroom (the audience of this session will include students from the University of Mauritius and other Colleges)
This session will feature presentations on the US market for apparel and home décor, and will include discussion on the different retail channels, brands, categories of products exported. It will include useful strategies to tailor products to buyers and markets, and how African exporters can gain a market edge by including design in their offers.
| Speakers |
Marsha Powell, Cotton Inc & Cotton Council Int., USA |
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Chad Schofield, Three Global, USA |
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Mazava Ltd, Mauritius |
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Dr. Karen Steen, Cazenovia College, NY, USA |
| Moderator |
JC Mazingue, USAID COMPETE |
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| 15:30 – 16:00 |
Coffee break – Beachside, Hibiscus Ballroom |
| 16:00 – 17:00 |
SESSION 4
The Fiber Market: Where is it going & What is the Future - Hibiscus Ballroom
A reality check on the structure of the world cotton trade, current price volatility and uncertainty, and the importance of cotton in the market going forward
| Speakers |
Marsha Powell, Cotton Council Int, & Cotton Inc, USA |
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Peter Salcedo, Plexus, UK |
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| 19:00 – 22:00 |
Graphic Designer Showcase & Cocktail – Segala Beach, Intercontinental Hotel Resort
This beach located event will showcase graphic designs from across Africa that can be applied to textile fabrics, with a cotton emphasis. This unique event will showcase designs emerging from slums & city streets, to studios, and will capture the innovative and creative talent of Africa.
Dress: Casual
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| 09:00 – 09:10 |
Welcome and Overview – Intercontinental Hotel Hibiscus Ballroom |
| 09:10 – 10:30 |
SESSION 5
Finance: New Tools and Innovation - Hibiscus Ballroom
This session will cover new tools & innovations in financial instruments, including effective & cost-effective trade credit insurance facilities now available in Africa; political risk cover; equipment purchasing finance; and purchase order/value chain financing.
| Speakers |
Mrs Ariane Ramar-Sujeewon, ADG Brokers & COFACE, Mauritius & France |
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State Investment Corporation, Mauritius |
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Michael Gold, Crimson Capital, USA |
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Ng Tseung Jean Michel, MCB, Mauritius |
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Joseph Bosco, GBOT, Mauritius |
| Moderator |
Mr. Afsar Ebrahim, BDO Mauritius |
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| 10:30 – 11:00 |
Coffee break – Beachside, Hibiscus Ballroom |
| 11:00 – 12:30 |
SESSION 6
Buyer/Sellers Platform - Hibiscus Ballroom
An Interactive session on what the global and regional market is looking for, what are the key aspects needed for doing business with Africa, and what the "Friends of Africa" initiative is doing to increase trade opportunities with Africa, and to change perceptions. Followed by questions and answers
| Speakers |
Mazava Ltd, Mauritius |
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George Schmidt, The ORVIS Group, USA |
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Nicholas Moreno, Redcats/Gucci, USA |
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Kassaye Mekuria, ETGAMA, Ethiopia |
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Caroline Sack Kendem, Ken Atlantic, Cameroon |
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Karalynn Sprouse, MAGIC, USA |
| Moderator |
JC Mazingue, USAID COMPETE, Kenya |
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| 12:30 – 14:30 |
Lunch break – Senso Restaurant
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| 12:30 |
Depart Intercontinental Hotel for Factory Visits |
| 12:30 – 16:30 |
Factory Visits
Eco friendly and state-of-the-art , vertically integrated factories
Factory 1 – Esquel Group
Factory 2 – RT Knits |
| 18:30 – 23:00 |
Designer Showcase and Dinner – Balaclava Fort Ruins, Maritim Hotel
Located at the historic Balaclava Fort Ruins, this dinner event will showcase the talents of 14 designers from across Africa, featuring countries in Eastern and Southern Africa, the Indian Ocean Islands, West Africa and Egypt. Designs will be created with commercial appeal and African flair, using cotton and other raw materials & accessories sourced from the continent. It will also introduce the promising design talent of 3 student designers from Mauritius
Keynote Speech: The Hon. S.Soodhun, Minister of Industry and Commerce
Dress: Smart (it will likely be hot & humid) |
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| Special Thanks to our Partners |
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