African Chamber of Commerce Programs
The African Chamber of Commerce of the Pacific Northwest offers many services that are aimed at promoting bilateral trade growth between Africa and Washington State. The organization hosts bimonthly business networking breakfasts, business forums and educational workshops aimed at educating members and providing networking opportunities. The Chamber also offers business luncheons and round table discussions, inviting business leaders to address the community about business growth and oppotunity. These serve as great tools for educating new business owners and helping them develop their potential. In addition, the ACCPNW provides local business counseling and trade assistance to small businesses, empowering local African immigrants with the skills and resources needed to start and sustain businesses in the Pacific Northwest.
Recent Successes and Current Challenges
One great success the ACCPNW has recently enjoyed is the 13th Annual Africa Day Business Forum that was opened by the Mayor of Seattle, Mike McGinn. The Forum was focused on US-African trade relations, business opportunities in Africa, financing exports, the African Growth and Opportunity Act and information technology with the ultimate goal of expanding economic prosperity and empowerment in Africa and the Pacific Northwest. We're also working closely with community based African organizations on the Families and Education Levy Ordinance to address the educational needs of African students in Seattle.
But the ACCPNW needs to expand its operations and stimulate small business activity by increasing the number and scope of business workshops and networking events it conducts. We are working to educate local African immigrants and refugees about how to work with the City government to pursue business efforts. The goal is to increase the number of successful African entrepreneurs by providing business development services that meet the unique needs of African immigrants.