Munich, Bavaria, Germany
An outstanding skill set of FDI attraction, economic development, trade diplomacy and government relations. Experienced manager with ministerial and C-Suite engagement experience. Political economy and country-risk analyst, project and result-driven. Astute negotiator, network-builder and problem solver. Focused on corporate social responsibility (CSR) and passionate about sustainable development.
• Held budgetary responsibilities, representing 60% of the office’s annual operating expenses. • Had lead responsibility for briefing ministers and senior government officials in advance of critical diplomatic engagements. • Outstanding contribution to business leads/deals for Canadian firms: over $ 30 million contracts/year, for i.e. CSR software, environmental solutions, enterprise integration / monitoring solutions and artificial intelligence (AI) systems, with the aim to improve safety and productivity in the extractive sector. • Delivered country presentations at the Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) and at the Global Petroleum Show (GPS), introducing business opportunities. • Canada’s key event organizer for “Mining Indaba”, the largest mining trade show in Africa. Increased the Canadian delegation’s size from 20 to 80 participating Canadian firms in 5 years (200 delegates in 2020, upholding Canada as the 2nd largest exhibitor). • Initiated an annual CSR stakeholder event, with a growing participant’s base (170 in 2020), involving businesses, governments, unions and affected local communities • Developed a “Cleantech / Green mining” forum with Canadian executives, a program also focusing at fostering women’s participation in business. • Regularly provided strategic advisory support to regional teams (Zambia, Tanzania) with regards to advocacy for investor-friendly regulations.
• Team leader: consistently surpassed annual targets and kept spending within budget allocations. • Conducted an average of 10 comprehensive sector-specific market studies/year. • Successfully introduced French companies to distributors and clients, with a growing value of signed contracts (food importers and large local retailers). • Organised tailored-made business missions attended by 15-20 firms, on specific sectors like industrial maintenance for State Owned Utilities (SOEs), specialised equipment for sugar mills, agricultural machinery, wine and spirits. • Advised and briefed incoming officials and private sector delegates on “doing business” in Sub-Saharan Africa.
• Drafted briefing notes on macroeconomic indicators, evaluation of the “country risk” and key regional political developments. • Officer in charge of Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (BEE): following-up and advising clients on BEE regulations and their strategic implications for local corporate operations. • Advocacy for increased Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) policies and incentives.
• Reviewed national pharmaceutical inspections procedures and medicine marketing authorisations. • Advising accession candidates on their applications. • Promoted the Agency to industry and public stakeholders and drafted activity reports for the Executive Committee.