Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
15th May 2012, Brussels, Belgium
EMRC International and Rabobank Foundation to jointly host the Africa Finance & Investment Forum
(AFIF) 2012 at bank’s headquarters.
This year’s AFIF Forum, entitled “Financial inclusion through SMEs & Cooperatives”, will gather leading global
representatives from a variety of sectors to highlight the financial tools and solutions and growing policy trends to
ensure Africa’s economic growth.
In partnership with Rabobank, the Dutch international financial service provider operating on the basis of
cooperative principles, the Forum will be held from 17-19 June 2012 at the Robabank headquarters in The
Netherlands. Government representatives, experts, business leaders, entrepreneurs and civil society will be
represented at the highest level and from all four corners of the world. Concrete measures will be proposed for
Africa’s Small and Medium Enterprises and cooperatives sectors, with a particular focus on finance and sustainability.
“The Forum will be held at the Rabobank headquarters, which is significant
considering that Rabobank is considered a global financial leader of immense
reliability. AFIF this year will once again reach new heights in terms of content,
speakers and business opportunities,” says Idit Miller, EMRC International’s Vice
Present.
Cooperative:
"An autonomous association of
persons united voluntarily to meet their
common economic, social, and
cultural needs and aspirations through
jointly owned and democratically
controlled enterprise".
Within the framework of the United Nations ‘International Year of
Cooperatives’, the ‘cooperative’ way of doing business is being viewed as the
sustainable economic solution to ensure economic growth and stability in emerging markets, as the global financial
meltdown has led decision-makers to consider alternatives.
“The spotlight is on cooperatives this year and rightly so. AFIF 2012 will allow Africa to be part of the debate and will
provide a platform for business meetings and opportunities to take place amongst the various representatives,”
explains Inês Bastos, Project Manager at EMRC International. “Demand is growing for real tangible solutions for
African businesses. AFIF 2012 will target this head on and will ensure that participants leave with real solution and
business opportunities.”
With an expected 250 participants attending, the Forum will also provide business-to-business (B2B) meetings which
are tailor-made to ensure maximum business partnership success. Previous forums have seen over 1,000 of these
meetings set up over a 2-day period. In addition, the international media will spotlight the various speakers and
interview a select group of participants to highlight regional and local business ideas and trends.
A growing number of organisations and businesses will be present at AFIF 2012, such as the likes FMO; IFAD
(International Fund for Agricultural Development); AfDB (African Development Bank); IFC (International Finance
Corp.), World Bank; HIVOS; GIZ ; Oikocredit; Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovations ;
Grameen Credit Agricole Foundation ; FARA (Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa); Clifford Chance, Netherlands;
Shell Foundation, Netherlands; Wageningen University; Agriterra; Heineken; I&P; Hivos; AIA Angola; BPA; Banque de
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Credit de Bujumbura S.M; Centenary Bank; Afraca; Amsco; Grupo Americo Amorim; Rectory Foods ltd. amongst
others.
The first two days of the Forum will be held in Utrecht and the third day will be held in partnership with Food First, a
Dutch organisation which aims at “putting the food and agricultural issues at the heart of political debates.” The
third day includes guided visits to one of the world’s biggest Horticultural Expo - Floriade 2012 (Venlo-Netherlands),
organized once every ten years.
Interested participants are urged to contact EMRC International and book a place for AFIF 2012. Please contact
info@emrc.be
For more information about sponsorship and speaking opportunities please contact Inês Bastos at ib@emrc.be or visit
www.emrc.be
For further information, banners or images, please contact:
Jessica Frommer
Tel. : +32 2 626 1510
Fax : +32 2 626 1516
Brussels, Belgium
jf@emrc.be
Website: www.emrc.be
About EMRC
Established in 1992 in Brussels, EMRC is a non-profit International Association composed of a network of entrepreneurs,
financiers, consultants and officials based throughout the world. EMRC's mission is to lead the private sector in Africa to
sustainable economic development and to drive regional change via partnerships.
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About AFIF
The Africa Finance & Investment Forum is one of EMRC’s showcase events, aimed at strengthening the private sector in
Africa, by encouraging partnerships and attracting investments. The forum is designed for entrepreneurs interested in
securing finance for their projects, for private investors looking for projects, as well as for policy makers, financiers and
bankers.
About Rabobank
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The Rabobank Foundation works to improve the lives of disadvantaged people worldwide. Our philosophy is based upon
Rabobank’s cooperative heritage and close community involvement. Since 1973, the Rabobank Foundation has supported
projects that promote economic participation and self-sufficiency. We are active in the Netherlands and internationally,
providing both financial aid and technical support