GC&P operations in the Africa, Caribbean and Pacific Region

GC&P in its continuous effort to play an active role as part of its policy to contribute to the economic development of emerging markets in the least industrialised countries, especially in the Africa, Caribbean and Pacific region, organized after the 2009 Workshop on Lean Accounting in Cape Town, a visit to Nigeria in July this year. GC&P has established contacts in the Southern African region that can be exploited by firms interested in establishing in that region.

The purpose of the mission to Nigeria, was to study the potential market for Italian/European enterprises that would like to venture to develop business networks or establish operations in Nigeria. The business networks can be considered as a two way traffic as enterprises requiring raw materials or semi- finished products to be finished in Italy/Europe can have access to these sources through GC&P Network in West Africa. On the other hand, those wishing to export to Africa, can also be assisted by the GC&P Network in Nigeria. This country being the major economic and industrial power for the West African Region (A region that consists of circa 300 million inhabitants form different countries like Ghana, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Guinea, Ivory Coast etc, all members of ECOWAS: that is The Economic Commission of West African States.), Nigeria acts as a hub for both economic and industrial development.

GC&P is working arduously to develop the manpower in that country to the world accepted level, so that enterprises that would like to establish operations there, would find an already trained workforce in modern production methods for both goods and services using the lean transformation methodology. To achieve this goal, GC&P, is working in partnership with Con-Edge, ( a local consultancy firm) to realize the following in the not too distant future.

• Workshops and seminars in collaboration with the Manufacturing Association of Nigeria, The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry and The Enterprise Development Service of the Pan- African University.

• Training and Master classes for SME’s , Entrepreneurs, and large scale industries both local and international operating in West Africa (Nigeria).

• Business Networking for Industries interested to enter the West African Market.

• Consultancy and temporary management assistance for both local and international firms operating in West Africa

• Business Networking for industries interested in importing raw materials, Semi-finished products form West Africa.

In the light of this adventure into the realm of emerging economies in the African, Caribbean and the region, GC&P will be organizing a second visit to Nigeria in mid-November. The purpose for the second visit, is to present two seminars/workshops during the Global Entrepreneurship Week upon the invitation of the Pan-African University (Enterprise Development Services) and the Manufacturing Association of Nigeria.

Companies, Firms and enterprises interested in venturing into this market are invited to contact our colleague Michael Sheriff.