MBN USA

April 26, 2023

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Historic trade mission connects Indian and Black American business opportunities for economic empowerment

Washington, DC – The National Black Chamber of Commerce recently participated and conducted two global trade missions simultaneously, from March 27-April 1, 2023.  The NBCC was invited to participate in the U.S. Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration Executive-Led Certified Trade Mission to Nairobi, Kenya, led by Under Secretary Donald R. Cravins, Jr. 

Coincidentally, the honor of our presence was also requested to New Delhi, India by the Asian-Africa Chamber of Commerce and Industry, to attend the IndiaSoft Expo, and the Dalit Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry to participate in their G20 India National Conference.  NBCC President and CEO, Charles H. DeBow, III represented in Kenya, and the NBCC International Committee led by Chairman, Frederick Anderson, and Vice Chairwoman, Shaquana Teasley.  

History Part I, Africa – The U.S. Department of Commerce Trade Mission to Kenya was premised on a flourishing U.S. and Kenya trade relationship with total goods traded between our countries reaching $1.5 billion.  That’s an increase of 40% since 2019 with lots of room to grow. 

The National Black Chamber of Commerce participation was unprecedented for the call to support Africa’s transformation globally to cultivate strong lasting partnerships with Kenya and the African continent.  It exemplified a unified effort by the U.S. Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration, Prosper Africa, EXIM Bank, U.S. Trade & Development Agency, U.S. Commercial Service, U.S. Embassy Kenya, U.S. AID, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce/AmCham Kenya in harmony with the government of Kenya highlighted with by an address by President Ruto.  This set the stage for unprecedented progress for global Small and Medium Sized businesses. 

The NBCC formally worked alongside both American and Kenyan governments, with civil society to bring together American/Afro American, and African businesses.  It was a proud moment for Africans and Americans to be working together in a highly motivated forum, professionally convened to form partnerships, joint ventures, and mentor/protégé relationships.  It was spectacular!  Each delegation member had 5 initial pre-matched meetings.  Most of the attendees’ initial meetings precipitated 30 or more additional introductions over a three-day period. The meetings resulted in export/import relationships, agricultural/aquaculture, infrastructure, Information Technology partnerships, Manufacturing, Mining, Healthcare, Technical Training, Entrepreneurial Development, Rural Community Development as enterprise zones, Alternative Energy, Digital Financial Literacy, and Advancement of DEI and Workforce development principles for the Diaspora just to name a few. 

Several companies in the delegation were persuaded to extend their stay to immediately close deals.  We will be presenting a collective strategic plan inclusive of all our partners.   History Part II India – The National Black Chamber of Commerce’s International Committee led a delegation to New Delhi, India as a culmination of relationships with the Dalit Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, DICCI and the Asian African Chamber of Commerce & Industry-Ghana, AACCI-Ghana. 

The NBCC was invited to visit India to explore and solidify business relationships. Our delegation of International Committee leadership evaluated the business landscape. They attended the IndiaSoft Expo, and the DICCI National Conference on G20 India, and met with the U.S. Commerce Senior Commercial Office – India and U.S. India Strategic Partnership Forum. As well as had a cultural excursion to the Dr. Ambedkar National Memorial and the Taj Mahal, one of the seven wonders of the world.

“As the NBCC enters its next chapter, we are focused on expanding our portfolio of international partners who place an emphasis on economic development for Black businesses and solutions that amplify the Chamber’s reach beyond domestic means,” says Charles H. DeBow, III, CEO of the NBCC.

 “We consider this trade mission to India to be a first step which accomplishes that ethos efficiently and impactfully, while carrying on the NBCC’s decades-long traditions with a modern perspective.”

This historic exploratory trade mission allowed NBCC to make strong connections. Frederick Anderson, Corporate and International Director, National Black Chamber of Commerce said, “The highlight of the trip was our momentous MOU signing between NBCC and DICCI, an unprecedented event. It opens tremendous economic opportunity between Black and Dalit businesses, in the USA and India”.

This relationship was born out of the cultural similarities from the work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. during the civil rights movement and the thought leadership of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar. NBCC intends to collaborate and establish more formalized trade trips to both countries, in the near future.

For more information visit www.Nationalbcc.org