An afterwork business event focusing on Côte d´Ivoire´s economic prospects to showcase it to the Austrian ecosystem around the theme: “Fostering investment and visibility on market opportunities of Côte d´Ivoire in Austria” was hence organized on June 15th 2023, at the Restaurant IKAZE, Tech Gate Building, Donau-City-Straße 1, 1220 Vienna, Austria. The event was both physical and online and gathered over 60 persons (e.g. annexe 1). It mobilized investors, potential partners as well as increased the overall visibility of Côte d´Ivoire in Austria while allowing the intervention of key Ivoirian stakeholders such as:

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- H.E. Mr. Cissé YACOUBA, Ambassador, Permanent Representative, Embassy of Côte d´Ivoire in Austria who delivered a speech on the economic opportunities in the country as well as the benefits an increased cooperation with Austria could represent.

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- H.E. Dr. Souleymane DIARASSOUBA, Minister of Commerce, Industry and Promotion of SMEs, Côte d´Ivoire who presented the different pillars of the National Development Plan (PND) 2021-2025, its priorities, successes and the partnership required to reach its goals.

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- Mr. Félix YENAN, Director of Commissions and Advocacy at CGECI, (General Confederation of Côte d’Ivoire´s Companies) who presented business opportunities in Côte d´Ivoire and the role of CGECI.

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In addition, representatives from the Austrian private sector and business leaders also took the floor and demonstrated a strong interest in being able to participate to such events and acquire knowledges as well as be able to exchange with the Embassy of Côte d´Ivoire, the CGECI, as well as entrepreneurs and different government representatives from the country. It is to be mentioned that Austrian private sectors already operating in Côte d´Ivoire also encouraged their fellow colleagues to open the dialogue and engage with Côte d´Ivoire as it represents unique business opportunities. A particular point raised was the willingness to create a business club between Côte d´Ivoire and Austria in order to foster the economic ties and dialogues between both countries.

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Finally, it is important to highlight that this event is a first step in a strategy to enhance the ties between the 2 countries as mentioned above. Indeed, it is foreseen that an economic mission will be organized during the second semester of 2023 (October) under the leadership of the Embassy of Côte d´Ivoire with the technical support of ADYFE and Y.H Consulting and in cooperation with WKÖ and the CGECI as the Ambassador H.E. Mr. Cissé YACOUBA reminded.