The International Trade Centre is profiling small businesses at EXPO 2020 in Dubai through a series of hybrid events hosted at the United Nations Hub.
The events will focus on the contribution entrepreneurs bring to the achievement of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals and will be held from 28 February until 7 March.
We will welcome participants in person and online. Please register below for online participation. All times are Dubai times (CET plus 3).
28 FEBRUARY 2022
12:00 - 12:30
Media briefing at the Expo 2020 Media Centre
The Small Business Week events will be presented to reporters accredited to Expo 2020 Dubai.
Speakers (virtual):
Ms. Lilia Naas Chief, Office for Arab States, International Trade Centre
Ms. Lily Sommer, Regional integration, AfCFTA Technical Advisor
Ms. Cristina Reni, Market Development Coordinator, ITC Alliances for Action
Mr. David Cordobes Programme Officer, Youth and Trade, International Trade Centre
Moderated by Vittorio Cammarota, Chief Communication and Events, International Trade Centre
13:00 - 15:30
What’s brewing? The Future of Coffee │For online participation in this event, please register here.
The online session starts @ 13h30
Panel discussion and coffee tasting
Coffee is commercially produced in more than 50 countries, and the world drinks upwards of 3 billion cups a day. Millions of coffee growers, mostly smallholder farmers, increased production by 50% over the past two decades. Demand is set to further increase in the coming years.
This inspiring talk with experts explores how partnerships can ensure a systemic sector transformation that will drive real impact for all. Speakers include some of the 70 partners who collaborated with ITC on the 4th edition of The Coffee Guide the world’s leading practical source for the international coffee trade.
The event is organized by ITC, in partnership with the European Union, the Africa and Madagascar Robusta Coffee Agency (ACRAM), the Caribbean Network of Fair Trade Producers (CLAC), the European Union, Fairtrade Africa, and the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS).
Speakers:
Ashish Shah, Director, Division of Country Programmes, ITC (virtual)
Mario Cerutti, Chief Institutional Relations & Sustainability Officer, Lavazza Group, Italy (virtual)
Cleia Junqueira, Head of Coffee, Coffee Planet, UAE
Khalid Al Mulla, CEO of Easternmen & Co. and the Dubai Coffee Museum. National Coordinator – SCA UAE
Zainab Al Mousawi, Barista and owner of To the Moon and Back Coffee, UAE
Elsa Dinka, Export Sales Senior Expert, Oromia Coffee Farmers Cooperative Union, Ethiopia
Joao Mattos, Commercial Manager, Latin American and Caribbean Network of Fair Trade Small Producers and Workers (CLAC), Brazil (virtual)
Jhannel Tomlinson, Secretary, Jamaican Women in Coffee (JAWIC), Jamaica (virtual)
Moderated by Ms. Cristina Reni, Market Development Coordinator, ITC Alliances for Action
Followed by coffee tasting
Related articles:
1 MARCH 2022
11:00 - 12:00
Digital trade, Opportunities for Youth in the MENA Region │For online participation in this event, please register here.
An exchange with innovators from the region
This event explores the potential of new technologies, IT applications, and related innovations for inclusive and sustainable trade in the Arab region. The panel of experts will show how tech-based innovative training tools can improve knowledge and skills and support entrepreneurship among women and youth. The creation of a wide range of new high value adding jobs can contribute to addressing both high youth unemployment and the social barriers women face in the region. Entrepreneurs and students are invited to get actively involved in the session.
The event is organized by ITC
Speakers:
Dr. Petar Stojanov, Partner - Innovation, National Talent and Future Strategy, Black
Ms. Mashal Waqar, Co-founder, The Tempest
Ms. Amel Saidane, President of Start-ups association of Tunisia (virtual)
Mr. Ashraf Mahate, Chief Economist, Export Markets, Dubai I&E
Ms. Lilia Hachem Naas, Chief Office for MENA, ITC
Moderated by Sally Mousa, International Presenter
More information available here
12:30 - 13:00
Small businesses for the SDGs │For online participation in this event, please register here.
Photo exhibition opening
A collection of visual human stories featuring inspirational entrepreneurs from ITC projects in developing countries on show at the UN Hub, Opportunities Pavilion. The photos will showcase how small businesses contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. The International Trade Centre and its partners work towards the achievement of SDG 1, 2, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 16, 17.
Speaker:
Dr. Dena Assaf, United Nations Resident Coordinator for the UAE and Deputy Commissioner General for the UN at Expo 2020
Moderated by Vittorio Cammarota, International Trade Centre
Followed by networking reception
2 MARCH 2022
17:30 - 18:30
Young Entrepreneurs in Sports and Sustainable Development │For online participation in this event, please register here.
This dialogue with a celebrity sports person from the Arab region will focus on the role of sports in creating opportunities for young men and women, including from remote regions, on and off the field. The talk will be followed by a conversation with a footballer.
This event is organized by ITC and United World.
Speakers:
HRH Princess Reem Bint Abdullah Bin Mosaad of Saudi Arabia
Ms. Lilia Naas Chief, Office for Arab States, International Trade Centre
Mr. David Cordobes Programme Officer, Youth and Trade, International Trade Centre
Mr. Surak Musah, Captain of Al Hilal United, UAE
Moderated by Vittorio Cammarota, International Trade Centre
7 MARCH 2022
12:00-13:00 (Dubai) / 9:00-10:00 (Geneva)
Investing in Women Entrepreneurs: The Added Value │For online participation in this event, please register here
SESSION BRIEF (pdf)
Panel discussion, International Women's Day event
The conversation explores how to reduce or eliminate the financing gap experienced by women specifically in the Middle East and African regions. The panel will examine solutions to overcome barriers and ease women’s access to capital and other financing needs. Closing the gender gap and supporting women’s financial inclusion could facilitate new business opportunities for women and other vulnerable groups, lower investment costs, increase social inclusion, reduce inequality, and accelerate achievement of the SDGs with more balanced development and inclusive growth.
The event is organized by ITC, in partnership with the International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation
Speakers:
BIOGRAPHIES (pdf)
Ms Pamela Coke-Hamilton, Executive Director, ITC (virtual)
Mr. Hani Sonbol, CEO International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC) (virtual)
Mr. Sidi Ould Tah, Director General, Banque Arabe pour le Développement Economique de l’Afrique (BADEA) (virtual)
Ms. Douja Gharbi, CEO, Red Start (Angel investor), Tunisia (virtual)
Ms. Iva Hamel, World Bank Resident Representative to the UAE, Gender Lead for the MENA and Senior Private Sector Specialist
Moderated by Sally Mousa, International Presenter
Followed by a networking reception
Related article(s):
15:00-16:00 (Dubai) / 12:00-13:00 (Geneva)
Making One Trade Africa a Reality │For online participation in this event, please register here.
SESSION BACKGROUND (pdf)
Panel discussion
Africa’s push for regional integration through the African Continental Free Trade Area creates new opportunities for businesses across the continent and beyond. If African businesses, especially those led by women and young entrepreneurs, are enabled to take advantage of these opportunities, economies can be transformed. Through the One Trade Africa programme, the International Trade Centre and its partners promote innovation and business linkages that help make trade happen within and with Africa. This event will show how.
The event is organized by ITC with partners.
Speakers:
SPEAKERS BIOGRAPHIES (pdf)
H.E. Dr. Hala El Said, Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Egypt (virtual)
Ms. Pamela Coke-Hamilton, Executive Director, International Trade Centre (virtual)
H.E. Mr. Falou Samb, Special Advisor to the President of Senegal for Trade and Investment (virtual)
Mr. Abdouramane Diallo, Manager, Targeted Interventions, Trade & Business Development, International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation
Mr Gerard Amangoua, Vice-President Marketing, Communication, Development and Public Relations, APEX-CI (Cote d'Ivoire Export Promotion Agency) (virtual)
Dr Amani Asfour, President, African Business Council
Ms Shirlene Nafula, CEO, Chrystal River Products, Kenya (virtual)
Moderated by Sally Mousa, International Presenter
Followed by a networking reception