The Tuatara team successfully organized the program for a  7-day study tour and reverse trade mission (RTM) for 15 private and public port sector decision-makers.Côte d’Ivoire’s two main ports -- the Port of Abidjan and the Port of San Pedro – serve as key economic centers and important regional hubs for the landlocked countries of Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali. Given the importance of this infrastructure to the country and the region, the Millennium Challenge Corporation signed a $525 million compact with Côte d’Ivoire with a focus on improving transportation. The MCC program includes major upgrades to the road network in Abidjan and the port area, as well as supporting a public private partnership (PPP) to deliver improved port logistics. Priority areas include pre-gate truck parking and logistics facilities, controlled port access, and a freight brokerage system. 

 

The activity included site visits to ports, meetings with suppliers, as well as meetings with government entities.  Business briefings were held in Washington DC and in Norfolk, VA  to introduce the delegation to U.S. companies.  This program was funded by U.S. Trade and Development Agency.