Africa Day Business Forum
From left to right: Dr. Matonodo Wawa, Treasurer and member of the board of the African Chamber of Commerce, Michael Cade, Thurston EDC Executive Director, Dr. Chung Lee, Dean & Professor School of Business, Saint Martin’s University and Dru Garson, Director of Strategic Engagement, AWB.
Above is a picture of the delegation visiting the Center for Business & Innovation, from left to right: Member of the Governor’s delegation, Member of the Governor’s delegation, Floribert Mubalama, Executive Director, Congolese Integration Network, Matondo Wawa, Executive Director, Purpose Investment Group, Treasurer of the African American Chamber of Commerce, Cecelia Loveless, EDC Board of Directors, members, Executive Director of MultiCare Foundation, Honorable Governor of Kasai, Dieudonne Piene Tutoko, DRC Congo, Michael Cade, Executive Director, Thurston Economic Development Council, Member of the Governor’s delegation.
October 29, 2022, was the 22nd annual Africa Day Business Forum hosted by the African Chamber of Commerce of the Pacific Northwest.
The Forum was created to build networks and opportunities for direct trade between the Pacific Northwest and Africa. The Forum provided events and panel discussions that raised awareness of trade opportunities with Africa and provide guidance on exporting and importing ventures. It was an opportunity for the Thurston EDC and Center for Business & Innovation to continue expanding its capacity to serve the African Chamber of Commerce membership for business excellence, growth and entrepreneurship. From the forums, Michael Cade, Executive Director, was able to have a sit-down meeting with Her Excellency Ambassador to the US, Marie-Helene Mathey Boo Lowumba from the Democratic Republic of the Congo to discuss Thurston’s entrepreneurial network and how Congolese businesses can access it. Additionally, the EDC and Center For Business & Innovation hosted and met with the Honorable Governor of Kasai, Dieudonne Piene Tutoko of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, on the potential of future trade missions to this region.