WHY ATTEND THE 2016 DICOTA CONVENTION?

The 2016 DICOTA Convention is fast approaching. We welcome you to join us in Dallas. View this email in your browser Why Attend the 2016 DICOTA Convention? Come to the 2016 Convention and see for yourself why this is a unique and one of a kind Tanzania diaspora event. Here’s what attendees said about the last Convention: 98% satisfied with overall convention 96% felt it was worth the registration 96% satisfied with their ability to discuss their products 95% likely to attend again Register now if you haven't already done so! Need More Reasons to Attend the 2016 DICOTA Convention? DICOTA is excited that the leaders of two major US international development agencies will be at the 2016 DICOTA Convention in person to share first hand and offer assistance on their new joint initiative and meet privately one on one with delegates. The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) have a new initiative that will use OPIC's Enterprise Development Network (EDN) to provide technical assistance to small-and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Sub-Saharan Africa. The new effort called the African Technical Assistance initiative, or EDN/ATA, aims to spur the development of small enterprises in Africa and provide African entrepreneurs with access to the capital and technical skills needed to enhance business production and competitiveness. Both agencies say the initiative will increase the number of sustainable jobs in the region as well as provide a variety of other economic and social benefits. Entrepreneurs will be better equipped to handle their businesses, more credit-worthy projects will be funded, and capital to back the projects will be delivered with greater efficiency. EDN/ATA will use at least $1.5 million to provide small grants averaging $25,000 to African entrepreneurs Register for DICOTA 2016 Convention Now! MORE ABOUT THESE AGENCIES AND THIS UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY FOR DELEGATES ABOUT OPIC We are excited that the Acting Vice President of OPIC, Dr. Lawrence Spinelli, will be at the 2016 DICOTA Convention and after his remarks, will meet privately one on one with delegates to discuss their specifc projects. The Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC), the U.S. Government's development finance institution, mobilizes private capital to help solve critical development challenges. OPIC works with the U.S. private sector, it helps businesses gain footholds in emerging markets, catalyzing revenues, jobs and growth opportunities both at home and abroad. OPIC achieves its mission by providing investors with financing, political risk insurance, and investment funds. Financing OPIC provides medium- to long-term financing through direct loans and loan guaranties to eligible investment projects in developing countries, when conventional institutions are reluctant or unable to lend. Political Risk Insurance OPIC’s political risk insurance provides innovative, comprehensive, and cost-effective risk-mitigation Products to cover losses to tangible assets, investment value, and earnings that result from political perils Investment Funds In response to the critical shortfall of private equity capital in developing countries, OPIC provides support for the creation of privately-owned and managed investment funds. OPIC-supported funds assist emerging market economies to secure long-term growth capital, access management skills, and secure the financial expertise, all of which are key factors in expanding economic development. View map of current active OPIC Projects in Tanzania.   Join Us at the 2016 DICOTA Convention in Dallas! ABOUT USAID-TRADE AFRICA We are excited that Oren E. Whyche-Shaw, Deputy Assistant Administrator for the Bureau for Africa and Trade Africa Coordinator will be at the 2016 DICOTA Convention! Ms. Shaw is very familiar with Tanzania having previously served as the Africa Bureau’s Principal Advisor to the Assistant Administrator for Africa. Among her responsibilities were leading the Bureau’s AGOA and Trade activities, coordinating the presidential initiative, Partnership for Growth (PFG), engagement in Ghana and Tanzania Trade Africa is a partnership between the United States and Sub-Saharan Africa to increase internal and regional trade within Africa, and expand trade and economic ties among Africa, the United States, and other global markets.  American support for the development of Africa’s economic growth is a strategic decision. For both the U.S. and Africa, trade generates new export markets for goods and services, allows for new job opportunities for unemployed and disaffected youth, and improves the overall business environment, making conditions more appealing for private investment. Over more than a decade, Africa has taken advantage of the benefits of a duty-free market under AGOA, the African Growth and Opportunity Act, which has resulted in increased market opportunities and more than doubled exports from the continent.    Visit the DICOTA 2016 Convention Page DICOTA Website: www.dicotaus.org DICOTA Communication Our mailing address is: Diaspora Council of Tanzanians in America (DICOTA) 12300 Pierce St NE Blaine, MN 55434