Friday, October 20, 2023 – 10:00 AM CDT / 11:00 AM EDT
Join Food Export as we discuss new market opportunities with our In-Market Representatives for Sub-Saharan Africa. Zurcom International will present market trends, top prospects, and helpful information about this region. On this webinar we will discuss the following topics:
1. Overview of the African Food Market
2. Understanding Africa’s Economic Trade Regions
3. Identifying Export Opportunities:
Don’t have time to sit down and attend the live webinar? All registrants will receive access to a recording of the event, be sure to register so you can access the recording.
Important Registration Note: Individuals who register should receive an email with the link and information you need to participate one day prior to the webinar. If you don’t receive this information and/or have any questions, please contact us at webinars@foodexport.org.
Richard Zurba (based in South Africa) is the Director of Zurcom International (Pty) Ltd, which presently is the contracted representative for nine US state governments in Africa and six US states in the Caribbean (the Africa office was founded in 1999 and the Caribbean office in 2021). Zurcom also represents all four multi-state State Regional Trade Groups (SRTGs) providing support for all 50 US state government departments of agriculture in Africa to support US agricultural exports. Zurcom’s experience includes supporting companies from around the world entering many international markets with a focus on Africa and the Caribbean Basin.
Richard came to Africa in 1993, working in the D. R. Congo for World Vision Relief. He moved to South Africa in 1996 as an export manager for a South African firm, selling into 20 African countries. He is the Chair of IBG Global, a partnership of international consultancies active in over 200 country markets. Richard has a B.A. in International Relations (Alberta), an M.A. in International History (London School of Economics), and an M.B.A. in International Business (Western Ontario).
Faith Okaalet (based in Kenya) is the Agricultural Program Manager for all State Regional Trade Groups in Africa. She has worked with Zurcom International since January 2015. Faith has past experience working with World Relief Kenya, an NGO that deals with relief and development, as well as Dynamic Business Start Up, a microfinance company. Faith has worked on over 60 market research project reports and has led over 20 trade missions for the State of New York, the State of Illinois, the State of Wisconsin, the State of Maryland, the State of Michigan, the State of Iowa, and the State of Virginia. She has also led trade missions for Germany, Portugal, Qatar, Wales, Finland, and India.
Faith has a broad experience in the agricultural sectors, the healthcare sectors of medical devices, medical furniture, medical consumables, as well as medical technology and software. She also has significant experience in the Food Processing and Packaging Sector, having managed Trade Missions funded by the German Ministry of Economic Affairs and Energy for East Africa, both virtually and in person. She received her Bachelor of Arts undergraduate degree in International Relations and Psychology from the University of Pretoria, South Africa and a Masters in Project Planning and Management from the University of Nairobi, Kenya. Originally from Uganda, she is fluent in Swahili and English.
Cephas Kotey (based in Ghana) represents Zurcom International in Ghana as a Trade Advisor. He has successfully led and executed trade projects in West Africa across several industries for a number of companies from the United States of America to Asia and Europe. His expertise ranges from food and beverages, construction materials and infrastructure, to water infrastructure and many others. Cephas frequently manages projects that span much of West Africa over a range of country markets. He is a Communications Executive with a desire for business strategy execution. He also has years of experience in customer support and public relations in key industries including telecommunications, banking, events management, and education.
Rebeka Gluhbegovic (based in Tunisia) joined Zurcom International (Pty) Ltd in 2012 as an international trade advisor. She was the Southern Africa representative for New York Empire State Development and the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation. At the same time, she worked on and managed many market research projects and trade missions for clients from Switzerland, the Netherlands, India and the US. In 2015 she left Zurcom to travel and pursue other endeavours (academic research; programme management in NGOs) but continues to consult for them. She is now based in Tunisia, where she manages projects for North Africa for Zurcom. She also has managed programs on social/impact entrepreneurship and is currently pursuing a doctorate degree. Rebeka holds a B.A. in Law and an MA in International Relations, both from the University of Pretoria.
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