DePaul University's Richard Driehaus Center for International Business will co-sponsor a trade and investment seminar in West Africa in July and a delegation to two business-to-business forums in Osaka, Japan, in October. The programs are for Illinois business executives interested in entering the marketplace, or increasing their operations, in West Africa or Japan.

     The program in West Africa will immerse participants in the business and cultural environment of Ghana, Cote d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast) and Senegal from July 15 to July 26. DePaul is co-sponsoring the trip with the World Trade Center Chicago, Support a Child International, Inc., and the Chicago Export Assistance Center. The Department of Education and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Community Affairs have provided financial support for the program.

     Mark Sullivan, director of DePaul's International Business Seminar Series, said West Africa represents a rapidly growing market for Illinois firms, particularly companies in the food processing, information technology, telecommunications, and medical and pharmaceutical sectors.

     "The World Trade Center Chicago recently completed a study of countries that represent the greatest business opportunities for Illinois companies," he said. "Ghana, Ivory Coast and Senegal were among the highest ranked, based on what these countries import and what Illinois exports." In addition, Sullivan noted that the Economist Intelligence Unit, a research provider for companies establishing and managing operations across national borders, predicts that sub-Saharan Africa will be the fastest growing region in the world in 2000.

     While in West Africa, seminar participants will meet as a group with local business executives, government officials and U.S. expatriate.

     Participants also can arrange one-on-one meetings with business contacts through the Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce.

     The trip to Osaka, Japan, will allow executives to attend two business-to-business events, the Global Business Opportunities Conference (GBOC) from Oct. 14-19 or the Global Venture Forum 2000 (GVF) from Oct.16-21. The GVF is a gathering of executives in the information and communication technology, biotechnology, medical, health care, environmental, energy, and advanced materials industries. GBOC attracts representatives from a wide range of firms.

     At the forums, visiting executives can present their business proposals or products to an audience of potential Japanese business partners and investors. In addition, The Osaka Chamber will arrange private business meetings tailored to the interests of program participants.

     Delegation members who do not want to present proposals but want to see what ventures are being promoted in the Japanese market can also participate. These executives will meet the representatives of the Japanese and international businesses participating in GBOC, hear the business proposals presented at GVF and receive structured exposure to business in Japan.

     DePaul is co-sponsoring the Osaka programs with Technology Management Associates, Inc., Japan External Trade Organization Chicago, The International Trade Association of Greater Chicago and Chicago Sister Cities International program, Osaka Committee.

     The International Business Seminar Series was launched last fall with a U.S. Department of Education grant. The series offers executives a chance to travel abroad to gain practical knowledge about international business and make business contacts in foreign countries. The Driehaus Center is part of DePaul's Kellstadt Graduate School of Business, a strong advocate of international business education.

     For more information on these programs, call Ellen Dawson at (312) 362-8474 or visit the Web site www.depaul.edu/ibss.