Third mission of AWEX to the Indian Ocean in 5 years08/12/2019
From 19 to 26 May 2019, Awex organised a trade mission to the Indian Ocean islands. In just one week, the delegation visited successively Saint-Denis (La Réunion), Antananarivo (Madagascar) and Port Louis (Mauritius). About ten companies from Wallonia participated in this mission, to the great satisfaction of all. At each of the three stages, the programme included an official opening ceremony with a press conference, pre-set individual B2B meetings for each delegate and an official networking reception, jointly hosted by the incumbent Belgian Ambassador and the Awex.
This was the very first time that Awex organised a mission to the Reunion Island, a French overseas department that falls under the jurisdiction of Awex Johannesburg. The very warm welcome of the Reunionese authorities and the quality of the business contacts established thanks to Awex’ local counterpart, “La maison de l’Export” went way beyond expectations. Talking of which, expectations were quite high for Madagascar, the second leg of the mission, because of its huge economic potential. Luckily, the stay of the mission there coincided with the 14th edition of the International Fair of Madagascar (FIM) at which AWEX decided to take part with a booth. It gave Awex a great exposure and, at the same time, allowed the participating companies to meet a maximum of local prospects, in addition to the pre-set meetings. In Mauritius, the delegates also benefited from an intensive B2B appointment programme at the hotel of the mission. A prestigious reception was held at the “Château de Labourdonnais”, in honour of the mission and the official appointment of Mr Arnaud Lagesse, CEO of the IBL Group, as Honorary Consul of Belgium, in the presence of the acting Prime Minister of Mauritius.