Cape Verde is only 4 hours from the flight from Brazil, 1 hour from the flight from the African continent and 4 hours from the flight from the European continent. Cape Verde is an important platform for investment, import, export and re-export to highly relevant markets such as ECOWAS - Economic Community of West African States, with more 400 million consumers; the European Union, with more than 500 million consumers; and the United States of America, with over 300 million consumers.
Cape Verde can export and re-export more than 6,000 products manufactured in Cape Verde or processed up to 30% in the country, duty free to the United States of America; Canada; European Union and ECOWAS, which represents an important opportunity for the competitiveness of companies in general. In addition to its internal market, Cape Verde can offer companies four high-potential mechanisms that guarantee scale in their economic and commercial relations with the world:
Mechanism 1: The mechanism which implements the Customs Union between the Member States of ECOWAS - Economic Community of West African States, which brings together 15 countries and more than 400 million consumers (Benin, Burkina Faso , Cape Verde, Côte d'Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea Conakry, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Togo), through which companies from Cape Verde can import, export and re-export without fees or quotas.

Mechanism 2: The EU / GSP + mechanism, which is of particular importance, in particular with regard to the external competitiveness of Cape Verdean products which, under this preferential regime, can be exported to the European Union market free of quotas and tariffs.

Mechanism 3: The AGOA Mechanism - Africa's Growth and Opportunities Act, enacted in 2000, allows eligible African countries, such as Cape Verde, to export approximately 6,400 duty-free products to the United States. This law is based on an extension of the benefits already available under the United States Generalized System of Preferences (GSP).

Mechanism 4: Mechanism of the International Industry Center; International Service Delivery Center and International Trade Center, all created by the State of Cape Verde, which grant, among other things, tax advantages in the form of reduced rates of IRPC - corporation tax, compared to income derived from the exercise of activities of an industrial or commercial nature, and its related or complementary activities, as well as the provision of services:
» 5.0% for entities with five or more employees;
» 3.5% for entities with twenty or more employees;
» 2.5% for entities with fifty or more employees.

Regarding the International Service Delivery Center:
» 2.5% for entities with two or more employees. It is in this context that in March 2022 Cape Verde is hosting an International Business Forum, entitled « Atlantic Business Forum », under the slogan: «Cape Verde a link with markets of excellence».

A pre-programmed Business Round will be held on March 19, 2022. Each participating company will have a pre-defined deadline for the presentation of their respective products, services and business partnership opportunities that they wish to submit to others.

This document, in addition to presenting some indicators of ECOWAS, describes the progress of the operation of the Event in question and the conditions of participation in it in its multiple stages.

1. BUSINESS FORUM AND EXPECTED RESULTS
The International Business Forum, an annual event, entitled « Atlantic Business Forum », under the slogan: « Cape Verde a link with markets of excellence », is organized by:
1.1 Three (3) sessions to present business opportunities in each ECOWAS member country;
1.2 An Economic, Financial and Commercial Workshop with two (2) Thematic Panels;
1.3 Five (5) thematic conferences;
1.4 A pre-programmed Business Round, which will be held on March 19, 2022. Each participating company will have a pre-defined deadline for the presentation of the products, services and business partnership opportunities that it wishes to submit to the others present.

1.1.2 The main expected results are:
1.1.2.1 A complete analysis of the positioning strategies of companies participating in markets of excellence, according to their physical or virtual presence in Cape Verde, such as: ECOWAS; European Union / GSP +; United States of America / AGOA; PALOP - Portuguese speaking African countries; Brazil; ZLECAF - African Continental Free Trade Area.
1.1.2.2 Establishment of a business network and business partnerships, involving companies from different geographic regions participating in the event.
1.1.2.3 Acquisition of information and solid knowledge on the main instruments and channels of private sector financing made available by the main institutions, strongholds of development and West African regional integration.

1.1.3 The main expected products are:
1.1.3.1 Presence of the products and services of the companies participating in the event on a web platform, in order to position them and consolidate a constant presence in the aforementioned markets of excellence;
1.1.3.2 Periodic edition of a newsletter through which the products and services of the companies participating in the event will be disclosed in the target markets analyzed during the event;
1.1.3.3 Position the companies participating in the event on the markets analyzed as actors of growth, development and wealth creation.

For more information, please contact the focal points listed on the last page of this document or on the web platform: https://www.atlanticbusinessforum.com/.

2. ORGANIZATION OF THE BUSINESS FORUM
2.1 Participants:
Business related to trade; industry; tourism; Agriculture; logistics; food industry; ICT; local authorities; Embassies; investment agencies; National and international financial institutions, insurance companies; Chambers of Commerce and Local and External Industry, Universities, Scientific and Technological Institutions; Cooperation and Development Agencies; economic operators, in general, in all sectors of economic and commercial activity.
2.2 Work development:
March 17 - 19, 2022
The event will take place in plenary sessions on March 17 and 18 and on March 19 there will be a Business Round, according to 9 main sequences, including the Opening and Closing Sessions, two Panels and five Thematic Conferences, detailed in the program. of the event (attached).
2.2.1 Sequence 1: Opening
Day: March 17, 2022
The March 17 session will begin with the opening ceremony, which will be chaired by a personality of national significance, who will deliver the opening speech of the Forum.
2.2.2 Phase 2: Presentation blocks
Day: March 17, 2022
The opening session will be followed by 3 blocks of presentations. Each block will be represented by 5 ECOWAS member countries. Each presentation block will be 2 hours long, with each country having 24 minutes to present business opportunities and business partnerships in the respective market.
2.2.3 Phase 3: Conference I
Day: March 17, 2022
Conference I aims to present the conditions of access to the ECOWAS Preferential Market and its great potential and opportunities. Namely presentation of the mechanism that implements the Customs Union between the Member States of ECOWAS - Economic Community of West African States, which includes 15 countries and more than 400 million consumers, through which companies can import, export and re-export without fees or quotas.
2.2.4 Phase 4: Conference II
Day: March 18, 2022
Conference II aims to present the conditions of access to the Preferential Market of the United States and its great potential and opportunity. In particular, the presentation of the mechanism that implements the AGOA program - Law for the Growth and Opportunities of Africa, allows eligible African countries, such as Cape Verde, to export around 6,400 tax-free products to the States -United. This law is based on an extension of the advantages already available under the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) of the United States, with more than 300 million consumers.
2.2.5 Phase 5: Conference III
Day: March 18, 2022
Conference III under the theme “Developing the Digital Economy in ECOWAS: an opportunity for digital transition in business development, market innovation and regional integration” is a corollary of the growing importance of digital economy as requirements for building a country's prosperity and the way to export to new markets and a step forward in the internationalization of businesses, with particular relevance for countries with small domestic markets.

Through this theme, the importance of digital technologies in the production and distribution process will be underlined, not only in developed economies but also in developing countries. It helps to make the economy more competitive and, by allowing companies to sell their products and services on the foreign market, to maintain the workforce and generate wealth with a strong impact on regional integration.
2.2.6 Phase 6: Conference IV
Day: March 18, 2022
Conference IV aims to present the conditions of access to the preferential market of the European Union and its great potential and opportunity. In particular, the presentation of the EU / GSP + mechanism, which is particularly relevant, in particular with regard to the external competitiveness of Cape Verdean products which, under this preferential regime, can be exported to the European Union market free of quotas and tariffs, with more than 500 million consumers.
2.2.7 Phase 7: Panel I
Day: March 18, 2022
Panel I focuses on private sector financing in ECOWAS. Funding is vital for the private sector.
Leveraging the private sector to stimulate growth in Africa in general, and in the West African zone in particular, is one of the priorities of the main financial institutions operating in the region, aiming to support the sustainable growth of the region by l '' application of financial resources in the private sector around three main axes:
2.2.7.1 Improve the investment and business climate;
2.2.7.2 Improve access to social and economic infrastructure;
2.2.7.3 Promote business development in the region.

The needs and available private sector financing instruments, as well as the mechanisms and procedures for this access, are fundamental for the ECOWAS region to realize its full potential and reach; strong and inclusive growth, and all issues related to finance, including available guarantee schemes, will be addressed in this panel.
2.2.8 Phase 8: Conference V
Day: March 18, 2022
Conference V under the theme « BRASIL: Potential and Opportunity of Technical and Commercial Cooperation » aims to explore the enormous potential that Brazil has for the development of economic relations with the whole of the ECOWAS region, particularly in the fields Trade ; Business; investment; business partnerships; cooperation in the field of logistics, technique, science and technology.
The establishment of a regular maritime line, connecting Brazil and West Africa, as an instrument to create and facilitate fluid trade from Brazil to West Africa and West Africa. West towards Brazil and towards the vast MERCOSUR market, through Brazil, is also one of the main objectives of this theme.
2.2.9 Phase 9: Panel II
Day: March 18, 2022
Panel II under the theme « THE PALOP: A Link of Excellence with the Single African Continental Free Trade Market », in addition to expressing a need and a desire to strengthen economic and trade relations, the 5 Portuguese-speaking African Countries (PALOP): Angola; Cape Verde; Guinea Bissau; Mozambique and São Tomé and Príncipe, share a common language and history that spans more than 5 centuries. Angola, Mozambique and São Tomé and Principe offer Cape Verde the partner countries of Cape Verde positions in the most relevant economic regions of the African continent (SADC, ECCAS and CEMAC), thus allowing the full integration of Cape Town -Green in the AFCFTA - African Continental Free Trade Area. Cape Verde also offers these countries a position in the relevant economic region of ECOWAS. This Panel thus aims to explore the potential of the African continental market and to strengthen the synergies between these countries, Equatorial Guinea being an integral part of this process, either by sharing the language, or by integrating a common economic block with them: the CPLP - Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries.
2.2.10 Phase 10: Closing session and communication
Day: March 18, 2022
During this closing session, a brief summary of the conclusions of the Business Forum will be presented with comments and a closing address.
At the end of the Session, a press conference will take place during which a representative of the external delegations and some participants will intervene.
2.2.11 Phase 11: Gala dinner
Day: March 18, 2022
A gala dinner with the participation of all participants in the event and guests from national and international institutions present in Cape Verde as well as individuals.
This sequence will allow a socialization between all the people present because it will allow the setting up of networks which will take effect after the event.
3. Business Round
Day: March 19, 2022
A Business Round scheduled in advance will take place on March 19, 2022. Each participating company will have a pre-defined period of time for the presentation of the respective products, services and business partnership opportunities that it wishes to submit to the other companies present, and to even the presentation of SPIN-OFF.
The Business Round will include meetings between business leaders and entrepreneurs from different regions, namely America, Africa, Europe and other origins, as well as the presentation of products, services and partnership opportunities of business.
Areas of interest are, among others, supply and demand for business opportunities; supply and demand for business partnerships and expertise; supply and demand of products (all types); supply and demand for services (all types); and supply and demand for equipment (all types).
3.1 Hold scheduled meetings
Day: March 19, 2022
The various scheduled meetings will take place on March 19, 2022, from 8:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the venue, which will be communicated in advance to all registrants.
3.2 Presentation session of products, services and partnership opportunities
On March 19, 2022, the period from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. is reserved for companies participating in the Atlantic Business Forum to present their products, services and availability to enter into partnerships. Each company will have a pre-planned period of time for these presentations. The Organization is responsible for organizing these agendas, as well as providing space for the presentation sessions and will communicate to registered companies in advance the audience, which will be based on the expression of interests of participants.
4. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
4.1 Place and dates
The Business Forum will take place in Cape Verde, Praia, in the Noble Hall of the National Assembly, from March 17 to 19, 2022. The March 19 program consists of a Round of Business and will take place in Cidade Velha.
4.2 Working languages
Three working languages will be used: French, English and Portuguese.
4.3 Communication
Papers will be made by national, regional and international experts, individually or on behalf of the institution they represent.
4.4 Registration
4.4.1 A registration form is available. It must be completed by any person or invited participant and sent by email: events@atlanticbusinessforum.com / helpdesk@atlanticbusinessforum.com.
4.4.2 Application forms can be downloaded from the following website: https://www.atlanticbusinessforum.com/.
4.4.3 Entries can also be submitted online on the website: https://www.atlanticbusinessforum.com/.
4.4.4 The conditions of participation are specified on this site.
4.4.5 For each group of 10 participants in the event, the organization assumes the participation costs for the eleventh element.
4.4.6 For each group of 25 participants the organization assumes the participation costs for two (2) additional elements.
4.5 Transfer of Registration
A duly registered participant, if he is faced with the impossibility of participating in the event, may transfer his registration to a third party. To this end, the replacement participant must be perfectly identified and accept the same conditions as the substituted participant.
4.6 Official groups and delegations
For groups (minimum 10 Pax), official delegations or government entities, the Organization must be contacted for specific treatment.
4.7 Visa
The visa application, for participants who need it, is made via a platform available on the internet (www.ease.gov.cv). Exceptionally, it can be requested in embassies, consular posts or on arrival in the national territory, Cape Verde, upon payment of a surcharge. The cost of the Visa is paid directly to the competent authorities: approximately € 30.00. If necessary, the Organization can assist participants in the process of obtaining visas.
4.8 Protocol services
Upon arrival at Cape Verde airport, participants will find a qualified team ready to help with all the necessary formalities and able to develop communication in three languages: Portuguese; French and English, namely:
4.8.1 Protocol at the airport for the reception of delegations at the airport and transfer to the hotel;
4.8.2 Protocol during each day of the event to register participants and support the event.
4.9 Transfers
4.9.1 When participants arrive in Cape Verde, they are provided with means of transport on the Airport / accommodation / Airport routes.
4.9.2 Participants are provided with means of transport on the journeys place of accommodation / place of the event / place of accommodation.
5.10 Accommodation
The diversity and quality of the accommodation units available as well as the reception and hospitality conditions ensure that participants have a pleasant stay for those attending the event.
Accommodation is provided, in hotels and private apartments, for participants who so wish, both in Cape Verde and in transit countries for a one-way trip to Cape Verde and return from Cape Verde.
5.10.1 A reservation form is available. Must be completed by interested participants.
5.10.2 Reservation forms can be downloaded from the following website: https://www.atlanticbusinessforum.com/.
5.10.3 Reservations can also be made online on the website: https://www.atlanticbusinessforum.com/.
5.10.4 The reservation conditions are specified on this website.
5.11 Air travel
Support is provided for air travel reservations, with airlines, for participants who so wish.
5.11.1 A reservation form is available. Must be completed by interested participants.
5.11.2 Reservation forms can be downloaded from the following website: https://www.atlanticbusinessforum.com/.
5.11.3 Reservations can also be made online on the website: https://www.atlanticbusinessforum.com/.
5.11.4 The reservation conditions are specified on this site
5.12 Catering services
5.12.1 During the course of the activities of the event, the participants are guaranteed water services and coffee breaks.
5.12.2 For midday meals, lunches, during the days of the event, transport will be available on the routes depending on the location of the event / location of the catering / location of the event.
5.13 Currencies and exchanges
The currency in common use in Cape Verde is the Cape Verdean escudo. All international currencies are accepted. The Euro is accepted in current transactions in Cape Verde and has a fixed parity with the escudo (1 € = 110,265 Escudos). For any additional information on currencies and exchange rates, it is recommended that you consult the official website of the Central Bank of Cape Verde: https://www.bcv.cv/pt/Paginas/Homepage.aspx.
5.14 Internet services
Internet services will be available at accommodation and event venues.
5.15 institutional meetings
If necessary, the Organization will be responsible for requesting the programming of institutional meetings / meetings with the competent entities, exclusively for the host country, Cape Verde.
5.16 Disclosure of products and services of participating companies
In order to publicize their products and services, the companies participating in the event have a specific web platform through which their products and services can be disclosed in all markets covered by the objectives of the event.
5.16.1 For each company participating in the event, in addition to the placement of the respective logo, there will be a brief description of the characteristics of the products and services, in three languages: Portuguese; English and French ;
5.16.2 The information disseminated on said website will be kept up to 120 days before the date of the next edition of the event, in the event that the company decides not to participate in the next edition;
5.16.3 Companies not participating in the event and wishing to disclose their products and services on the aforementioned site may do so by paying a monthly, quarterly, semi-annual or annual fee;
5.16.4 A specialized team will permanently keep the information entered on the web platform and companies may request modifications / corrections / updates of information at any time free of charge;
5.16.5 The companies participating in the event may also, during the period of validity of the respective information, in the space reserved on the web platform, publish quarterly newsletters through which the information relating to the respective products and services are disclosed in three languages: Portuguese; English and French. The aforementioned specialist team will periodically and selectively distribute the aforementioned newsletter to potential importers and exporters;
5.16.6 Any request for information on products or services by potential interested parties, including any order, will be promptly communicated to the target company.
5.17 Event documentation
All documentation related to the event can be downloaded directly from the event platform: https://www.atlanticbusinessforum.com/
5.18 Social events
An integral part of the event is a social program where guests in general and participants in particular can enjoy a pleasant stay in Cape Verde before, during and after the three-day event.
In the evening, two periods of social programs are reserved. On the first day of the event, March 17, a welcome reception is held for delegations attending the event and on March 18, there will be a gala dinner.
5.19 Hostesses
Professional and qualified service is a requirement and an asset at international events. Upon arrival at Cape Verde airport and at the venue of the event, participants will have accessible and permanently available teams of qualified and highly experienced professionals, ready to communicate in three languages: Portuguese, English. and French, to assist and support them in their participation in the event.
5.20 Leisure packages
Various packages and programs for guided tours of the main tourist attractions, either in Praia (capital of Cape Verde) or in other islands, are also available
5.20 Leisure packages
Various packages and programs for guided tours of the main tourist attractions, either in Praia (capital of Cape Verde) or in other islands, are also available
6. Changes
The Organization reserves the right to modify the program of the event as well as the General Conditions of Participation whenever this is justified, however, it must inform the interested party beforehand.
7. Insurance
Three (3) types of insurance are offered to participants:
7.2 Travel insurance
Likewise, protection insurance is available with the following characteristics:
7.2.1 Multi-trip to Cape Verde
Insurance applicable exclusively for trips taking place in Cape Verde.
7.2.2 Multiple trips abroad
Insurance applicable for trips abroad.
7.2.3 Foreign multi-trip + PVFM
Insurance applicable for trips abroad. Includes protection against force majeure cancellation.
7.2.4 Complements
7.2.4.1 Medical expenses
Capital increase for Basic Insurance Medical Costs.