Rep. Green and Sen. Ellis Discuss Joint Effort On International Summit in Houston Press Conference

Aug. 21, 2012 - PRLog -- Congressman Al Green and TX State Senator Rodney Ellis held a press conference earlier yesterday morning to discuss the emerging and growing opportunities for TX businesses to take advantage of international trade with the continent of Africa.

"Other nations, (such as China), are taking advantage of these opportunities in Africa...and I applaud them for their efforts.  They (the Chinese) are the avant-garde, when it comes to international trade; and we (Texas businesses) intend to also be the avant-garde, when it comes to doing business on a global scale", asserts Congressman Green to the audience of the press conference, held at international television station, 55.5 ITV.  "The Second Bi-Annual Texas-Africa Business Summit is a giant step in that direction", he concluded.

Senator Ellis backed the congressman's claims with some hard empirical data.  "China's growth in revenue from their business in Africa has risen 1400%, since the year 2000", he informed the attendees.  

Many entrepreneurs recognize the huge opportunities that exist in African investments right now; but most are still under the misconception that Africa is a high-risk market.  Attendees asked Senator Ellis and Congressman Green how they intended on educating the masses to the reality of this new economic frontier.

Senator Ellis addressed the question as a fellow entrepreneur, with private interests.  "I have taken many trips to Africa in both my public and private interest capacities; however, for my own private interests, it was important for me to see for myself what opportunities and securities that Africa had available.  Many trade missions are offered to visit Africa for those who are interested in doing business there, and I highly recommend that resources like that are taken advantage of by entrepreneurs interested in expanding into the African marketplace."

Congressman Green promoted the efforts of Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton in her recent trade mission; which was the first effort of its kind taken by any U.S. Secretary of State.  "The Clintons (in regards to international trade and development) have established a strong legacy for us to build on.  Their work in researching and vetting the business opportunities in Africa lends credibility to the efforts being undertaken by public officials like myself and my good friend, Senator Ellis; as well as the efforts of private enterprise entrepreneurs.  The Texas-Africa Business Summit isn't the "end" of the conversation regarding African-United States trade.  It is the genesis of that conversation."

Texas is widely considered the energy capital of the world; however, it also ranks as the nation's top exporter to Africa in particular, selling $7.3 billion worth of goods and services to the continent in 2011, nearly double what it sold in 2005, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Potential new markets for Texas businesses exist in infrastructure, transportation, energy, extractive industries, technology, health and tourism and related industries.

"The Summit represents an invaluable opportunity for small and medium-sized businesses to find out how to directly tap into these markets.", states Honorable Gezahgen Kebede, President of the International Trade Center and Honorary Consul General of Ethiopia.  "We are hoping for another tremendous success for this summit and in the years to come."

Those interested in attending the 2012 Texas-Africa Business Summit can do so by visiting and registering on their website at: http://www.texasafricasummit.com.  The summit will be held at the James A. Baker III Institute for Public Policy Rice University in Houston, TX on September 27-28, 2012.

Photo:
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