Brooklyn's Progress
October/November 2007

BY JILL D’AMICO

While Manhattan was gearing up for the UN General Assembly, Brooklyn was getting up close and personal with some international players.

The Tanzania Private Sector Foundation, in partnership with the Tanzania Chamber of Commerce, Industry & Agriculture, Tanzania Investment Center and Tanzania National Business Council led a senior level business delegation to New York City for the second annual Tanzania Investment Forum and Trade Mission, held from Sept. 16 through the 22.

The mission, which was organized by Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce Member Azania Holdings, brought the delegation to a Sept. 20 breakfast at the Marriott Brooklyn Bridge with the Chamber and its Brooklyn Goes Global (BGG) program. Since Brooklyn is home to a vast number of manufacturers, small businesses, and investors, the event provided a great networking opportunity for the group.

According to Steve Kaplansky, director of the BGG importing and exporting assistance program, "the Tanzania Trade Mission affords Brooklyn business leaders a chance to meet face-to-face with decision makers in Tanzania and form relationships that are mutually beneficial. We are delighted that Brooklyn Chamber Member Azania Holdings has facilitated such a fantastic global opportunity."

"Delegates are here from every industry imaginable, including hotels and tourism, telecommunications, mining, construction, engineering, agriculture, manufacturing, coffee, entertainment and more,” agreed Mona Davids, CEO of Azania Holdings. “The Trade Mission is a grand opportunity for both U.S. and Tanzanian companies to form lasting partnerships."

The Trade Mission focused on assisting Tanzanian companies that want to enter the U.S. market for the first time as well as assist U.S. companies wishing to enter the Tanzanian market.

For more information about Brooklyn Goes Global, contact Steve Kaplansky, director, at (718) 875-100 ext. 104 or skaplansky@brooklynchamber.com.