WEDF 2014 - Programme

SMEs: Creating jobs through trade

15-17 September 2014
Kigali, Rwanda

Download programme in PDF: English | French | Spanish
- Monday, 15 September 2014
- Tuesday, 16 September 2014
- Wednesday, 17 September 2014
The 3rd Women Vendors’ Exhibition and Forum (WVEF) will be held in conjunction with WEDF. Click here for more information.
Monday, 15 September

09:00-23:00

Registration

14:00-17:00

Fifth Senior Executive Roundtable on Sourcing from Women Vendors

This parallel event to WEDF convenes 50 decision makers in government and corporations, as well as trade support institutions and women’s associations, providing a forum to explore innovations in inclusive sourcing. They will discuss the benefits, challenges and opportunities of leveraging the untapped pool of women entrepreneurs to transform their procurement operations and create dynamic, efficient and sustainable supply chains. Read more...

A ground-breaking guidebook on targeted public procurement will be officially launched, followed by discussions on the variety of strategies, such as margins of preference, reservations and capacity-building programmes, used by governments around the world to stimulate increased participation by women entrepreneurs and other marginalized groups.

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15:00-17:00

Facilitated business networking sessions

19:00-22:00

Welcome dinner: Empowered women powering trade

Guest Speaker:

Her Excellency Roman Tesfaye Abneh, First Lady, Ethiopia

Tuesday, 16 September

Master of Ceremonies: Ms. Clare Akamanzi, COO, Rwanda Development Board

07:00-08:30

Registration

07:30-08:30

Facilitated business networking sessions

08:30-10:00

Opening session

Speakers:

Welcome remarks by Mr. Francis Gatare, CEO, Rwanda Development Board (RDB) (Read statement)

Mr. Lamin M. Manneh, Resident Coordinator and UN Development Programme Resident Representative (Read statement)

Ms. Arancha González, Executive Director, ITC (Read statement)

Official Opening by H.E. Mr. Paul Kagame, President of the Republic of Rwanda (Read statement)

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10:00-10:30

Coffee break

10:30-12:00

Plenary 1: Unlocking SME competitiveness for diversification
Supported by the Confederation of Indian Industry and the Overseas Infrastructure Alliance

SMEs in developing countries and economies in transition are playing an increasingly important role in international trade, thereby providing much needed employment and entrepreneurial opportunities. The internationalization of SMEs can lead to a wider distribution of wealth and contribute to the alleviation of poverty. Read more...

SMEs’ international competitiveness is shaped by a host of factors: their internal productive, innovative and managerial capabilities; their ability to successfully link up to and sustain a presence in international markets – both in open markets and in relation to value chains; their ability to link up with suppliers, finance (investors, financial service institutions etc.) and to providers of new knowledge, technology and skills. The business environment in which SMEs operate also has an important bearing on their international competitiveness. The role and performance of the institutions, service providers and policymakers forming part of and impacting upon the business environment are critical for SMEs’ ability to thrive in international competition, thereby creating wealth and decent jobs.

This panel will set the set the scene for WEDF 2014 by focusing on strategies to unlock the international competitiveness of SMEs and their ability to link up to international markets on a sustainable basis. See less

Speakers :

Hon. François Kanimba, Minister of Trade and Industry, Rwanda

Hon. Fatima Haram Acyl, Commissioner for Trade and Industry, African Union

H.E. Amb. Vidya Bhushan Soni, Chairman, Overseas Infrastructure Alliance (India) and Senior Member, Confederation of Indian Industry (CII)

Ms. Anabel González, Senior Director, Global Practice on Trade and Competitiveness, World Bank

Mr. Ashish Thakkar, Founder, Mara Group and Mara Foundation

Ms. Helen Hai, CEO, Made in Africa Initiative, China

Moderator: Mr. Peter Ndoro, Presenter, South African Broadcasting Network

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12:00-13:30

Plenary 2: Boosting SME participation in international trade: the role of trade facilitation and regional integration

Innovations in technology and transportation mean that goods and services can be traded more easily and at lower costs. Inputs into final goods and services now cross borders multiple times and value chains present opportunities for SMEs to provide inputs at specific points in the production and distribution process. Read more...

To enable SMEs to take advantage of these emerging opportunities a conducive business environment is critical.

Trade-facilitation measures are crucial to fostering SME participation in goods value chain, particularly for landlocked countries. The WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement provides an excellent framework for the implementation of pro-development trade facilitation reforms and the provision of technical assistance to developing countries. Identifying and building the capacity of SMEs to efficiently comply with non-tariff measures (NTMs) is equally important for their participation in value chains. Efforts must be made to also unlock the potential of regional integration and increase intra-regional trade in developing country regions, particularly in Africa where intra-regional trade remains high on the development agenda. Trade facilitation reforms have a key role to play in strengthening regional integration and enabling SMEs to participate in regional value chains.

Panellists will examine the constraints which continue to exist for SMEs to enter and move up value chains and offer solutions to meet these challenges through more clear and consistent approaches to trade facilitation, NTMs, and regional integration.See less

Speakers :

H.E. Amb. Richard Sezibera, Secretary-General, East African Community

Ms. Agnes Katsonga Phiri, Vice-Chair for East and Southern Africa, World Customs Organization & Commissioner for Customs and Excise, Malawi Revenue Authority

Mr. Stefano Arganese, CEO DHL Freight CESE & AMEA

Mr. Frank Matsaert, CEO, TradeMark East Africa

Mr. Hannington Namara, CEO, Private Sector Federation, Rwanda

Mr. Jeroen Roodenburg, Ambassador Private Sector & International Cooperation, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Netherlands

Moderator: Mr. Shawn Donnan, World Trade Editor, Financial Times

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13:30-14:30

Lunch: Showcasing Rwanda - Supported by RwandAir

14:30-16:00

PARALLEL SESSIONS
Session I: Growing SMEs through impact investment – Supported by TradeMark East Africa

While Aid for Trade continues to be a critical source of development assistance, developing countries are also exploring alternative sources of funding. They increasingly tap into impact investment funds to support their development priorities. Read more...

The panel will discuss the growing impact investment market, how countries can leverage these funds and how trade support institutions can better support SME access to this new source of financing. See less

Speakers :

Mr. Jean-Louis Ekra, Chairman and President, African Export-Import Bank

Mr. Robert Dijksterhuis, Head, Development Cooperation, RVO.nl, Netherlands

Mr. Dan Awendo, CEO, InvesteQ Capital, Kenya

Ms. Cecile Fruman, Director, Trade and Competitiveness Global Practice, World Bank

Moderator: Ms. Shada Islam, Policy Director, Friends of Europe, Belgium

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Session II: Sustainability standards: from barrier to opportunity

Identifying and helping SMEs to meet sustainability standards is a critical component in increasing their competitiveness, particularly for agro-based exports. Read more...

Rather than seeing these standards as an impenetrable barrier to trade, the discourse needs to focus on ensuring compliance and helping developing country SMEs integrate this standards compliance into their business plan as an opportunity to increase and diversify exports.

The panel will discuss the growing role of sustainability standards and effective ways of promoting SME compliance through capacity building and knowledge sharing. See less

Speakers :

Hon. Amelia Kyambadde, Minister of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, Uganda

Mr. Fred Kumah, Director for Africa, WWF, Kenya

Mr. Bram van Helvoirt, Programme Manager, CBI, Netherlands

Mr. Vianney Kabera, Managing Director, Freshpack Ltd., Rwanda

Moderator: Mr. Lanre Akinola, Editor, This is Africa

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14:30-16:00

WVEF: Buyer-mentor groups

16:00-16:30

Coffee break

16:30-18:00

PARALLEL SESSIONS
Session III: E-solutions for SME export growth

The growth of internet connectivity, particularly through mobile technology, has created tremendous business potential in Africa. Africa already has a number of successful digital businesses founded within the continent which are highly regarded from outside.Read more...

The panel will discuss the entrepreneurial opportunities for digital business in Africa both in direct e-exports and in using new technologies to facilitate traditional exports. Through case studies, panellists well share lessons applicable to businesses in Africa, in particular those seeking to operate in digital business.See less

Speakers :

Mr. Maurice Kagame, CEO, Pivot Access, Rwanda

Mr. Yves Eonnet, CEO, Tagattitude, France

Mr. Richard Newfarmer, Country Director, Rwanda, South Sudan and Uganda, International Growth Center, USA

Mr. Gagan Khurana, Head of Value Chain Partnerships, Grow Africa

Moderator: Mr. Eric Kacou, Partner & Co-founder, Entrepreneurial Solutions Partners

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Session IV: Spurring innovation through SME incubators

Business incubators have sprung up all over the developing world, including throughout sub-Saharan Africa. Start-ups in different sectors, no longer only in ICT, are facilitated increasingly by dedicated entrepreneurs who inspire, gather and sometimes fund businesses in incubators. Read more...

When developing a new incubator, founders need the right benchmarks and strategies. This session will discuss both, as well as the possibilities for cooperation among incubators in different countries. See less

Speakers :

Mr. Josiah Mugambi, Executive Director, IHUB Kenya

Mr. Mounir Chaouki, CEO, Connectit, Morocco

Ms. June Lavelle, President & Chief Consultant at Lavelle & Associates, Inc.

Mr. Ihsan Solmaz, Vice President, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Organization (KOSGEB) Turkey

Moderator: Mr. Peter Ndoro, Presenter, South African Broadcasting Network

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16:30-18:00

WVEF: Buyer-mentor groups coffee and services

18:00-19:00

Facilitated business networking sessions

19:00-22:00

Buffet dinner and cultural programme

Wednesday, 17 September

Master of Ceremonies: Mr. Miklos Gaspar, WEDF Coordinator, ITC

07:30-08:30

Facilitated business networking sessions

08:30-10:00

Plenary 3: Benefiting from South-South trade opportunities

South-South trade is no longer an aspiration, but a reality for many emerging countries: it accounted for a quarter of world trade in 2012, its highest level ever. Read more...

To maintain their growth trends, all developing and least developed countries need to focus on growth markets in emerging economies. However, most of this trade today is taking place within Asia and Latin America.

The panel will explore how African countries can better capitalize on this trend and attract more investment in non-primary sectors, including agro-processing, manufacturing and services. Panelists will discuss how SMEs can eventually benefit as suppliers in emerging South-South value chains and how countries in Africa can retain more value-add as they join global production networks.See less

Speakers :

Hon. Alma Omarou, Minister of Trade and Private Sector Development, Niger

H.E. Mr. Yu Jianhua, Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the WTO, China

Mr. Debasish Mallick, Deputy Managing Director, Export-Import Bank of India

Ms. Mulu Solomon, Honorary President, Ethiopian Chamber of Commerce and Sector Associations (ECCSA)

Mr. Ratnakar Adhikari, Executive Director, EIF

Moderator: Mr. Lanre Akinola, Editor, This is Africa

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8:30-10:00

WVEF: B2B meetings

10:00-10:30

Coffee break

10:30-11:30

In conversation with…

Speakers :

Mr. John Mirenge, CEO, RwandAir

Ms. Helen Hai, CEO, Made in Africa Initiative, China

Mr. Dayo Ogunyemi, CEO, 234 Media, Kenya

Moderator: Ms. Shada Islam, Policy Director, Friends of Europe, Belgium

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11:30-13:00

Plenary 4: Tourism for development: opportunities for SME trade

The tourism value chain offers SMEs from various sectors the opportunity to participate in international trade by selling goods and services to hotels, restaurants, tour operators and other services providers directly involved in tourism. Read more...

At the same time, trade in tourism is also related to health, education and other elements that offer opportunities to connect to tourism exports.

The panel will discuss best practices in identifying and integrating local supply into tourism value chains, thereby supporting income generation in communities. Panelists will also explore developing country opportunities in Meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) tourism. See less

Speakers :

Hon. Alain St. Ange, Minister for Tourism and Culture, Seychelles

Hon. Abdou Jobe, Minister of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration and Employment, The Gambia

Mr. Márcio Favilla L. de Paula, Executive Director for Operational Programmes and Institutional Relations, UNWTO

Ms. Marjorie Straw, Executive Chairman, Caribbean Network of Service Coalitions, Jamaica

Mr. Pascal Lamy, Chairman, World Committee on Tourism Ethics, UNWTO

Mr. Davidson M. Mugisha, Managing Director, Wildlife Tours, Rwanda

Moderator: Ms. Shada Islam, Policy Director, Friends of Europe, Belgium

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11:30-13:00

WVEF: B2B meetings

13:00-14:30

Lunch: Showcasing ITC’s Ethical Fashion Initiative

14:30-16:00

PARALLEL SESSIONS
Session V: Building a brand: export marketing for developing countries

By establishing recognized and successful brands, developing countries and individual enterprises can differentiate their products and services and achieve higher margins. Read more...

Brands not only offer a wealth-generating effect, but are symbols of ownership that generate long-term commitment. Used effectively and supported by investments in quality and innovation, brands result in enterprises and countries accessing higher value-added market segments and migrating away from a dependency on commodity exports.

Several developing countries, industry associations and SMEs have employed branding strategies to increase sales and client loyalty. The panel will look at success stories, particularly in branding indigenous products, on how effective branding and marketing can play an instrumental role in taking businesses regional and global. See less

Speakers :

Mr. Bandula Egodage, Chairman and CEO, Sri Lanka Export Development Board

Mr. Marcus Höpperger, Director, Law and Legislative Advice Division, WIPO

Ms. Mary Petitt, Global Coffee Issues Advisor, USA

Ms. Janet Nkubana, Managing Director and Co-Founder, Gahaya Links, Rwanda

Moderator: Ms. Agatha Nderitu, Danida Regional Integration Advisor, Regional Economic Integration Support Programme in East Africa (REISP); Senior Consultant, Saana Consulting Ltd.

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Session VI: Trade in services: The next frontier?

Services account for close to half of world exports when the full value of services inputs is accounted for in the final output of goods. To be truly competitive, even in traditional sectors such as manufacturing and agriculture, countries must have a properly functioning services sector. Read more...

Gaining competitiveness and developing capabilities to export services require targeted efforts including skills building, the creation of a conducive policy environment and a network of support institutions. This is particularly the case in non-traditional services sectors, which represent untapped opportunities for many developing countries and carry the biggest future employment potential.

The panel will explore the growing ‘servicification’ of trade, the opportunities this provides for developing country SMEs and review best practices on how services can become drivers of export growth.See less

Speakers :

Mr. Marcos Amadeo, Director General, Ministry of Economic Development, City of Buenos Aires, Argentina

Ms. Sandro Uwera, COMESA Business Council Coordinator, COMESA Secretariat

Mr. Dayo Ogunyemi, CEO, 234 Media, Kenya

Ms. Sondang Anggraini, Government Coordinator, Indonesian Services Dialogue (ISD), Indonesia

Moderator: Mr. Shawn Donnan, World Trade Editor, Financial Times

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14:30-16:00

WVEF: B2B meetings

16:00-16:30

Coffee break

16:30-17:30

Plenary 5: Why buy from women-owned enterprises

Gender equality and women’s empowerment are critical development objectives. Women entrepreneurs are a growing economic force with 34% of firms worldwide having female participation in ownership. Yet women access a limited share of procurement opportunities. Read more...

In most countries government procurement accounts for 15% to 20% of GDP, and worldwide, companies spend US$ 300 billion annually on goods and services. Women-owned enterprises currently win only an estimated 1% of contracts.

At the same time, in many developing countries, women-owned firms are growing at faster rates than those owned by men. Thus, a key part of economic development is helping foster women’s entrepreneurship.

An effective way of promoting women’s economic empowerment is through targeted procurement that ensures women receive an increased share of available contracts. This panel will bring together policymakers, representatives of trade support institutions, buyers and women entrepreneurs to discuss how to join efforts to increase the amount of corporate, government and institutional procurement secured by women vendors for the ultimate purpose of bringing economic benefit to women and their families.See less

Speakers :

Hon. Oda Gasinzigwa, Minister of Gender and Family Promotion, Rwanda

Ms. Yesim Sevig, Secretary General, Kagider, Turkey

Prof. Maggie Kigozi, Director, Pepsi Cola Franchise Board, Uganda

Ms. Archana Bhatnagar, Director, Haylide Chemicals; President, Madhya Association of Women Entrepreneurs, India

Moderator: Ms. Julie Gichuru, News Anchor, Citizen TV, Kenya

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17:30-18:00

Closing Session

Speakers :

Mr. Francis Gatare, CEO, RDB (Read statement)

H.E. Mr. Pierre Claver Ndayiragije, Ambassador and Permanent Representative, Permanent Mission of the Republic of Burundi to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva (Read statement)

Ms. Arancha González, Executive Director, ITC (Read statement)

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