Tuesday 29 June
1. Could you introduce yourself?
My name is Davinia Lamme and I’m associate at Larive International. I joined Larive in 2008 before having worked for one of the largest energy companies in the Netherlands as a product manager (gas).

2. What are LARIVE International main activities? Can you briefly describe the company?
Larive International (www.larive.com) is 100% focused on emerging markets. We have over 30 years experience in business development in Asia and Central & Eastern Europe. Since 2006, we are also active in Africa. Through our network of 29 local offices, we provide local expertise and practical assistance. Such assistance may consist of setting up production facilities, finding the right partner or distributor, attracting finance or even acquiring a local company. Simply said, we have the network and the local knowledge to help companies reach their goals faster, cheaper and with less business risks.

3. Recently, you went to Africa for a business trip, could you tell us more about that?
Certainly. My colleague Wouter van Vliet and I just returned from a business trip to Uganda and Kenya. We are currently executing two feasibility studies in Uganda in the Bakery and Coffee Sector. The clients are local African companies that are making a technical leap forward. By working out a step by step business plan and involving Dutch technical experts in the respective sectors, we are able to assist those companies in making the optimal choices for the expansion of their business. In the process, these clients also get well acquainted with Dutch suppliers of high quality food processing machinery. The end result of the feasibility is that more value is added locally to products such as bread and coffee, whilst lowering energy costs. During our visit to Kenya, we selected a local business partner to expand the Larive Group office network in East Africa.

4. What are Larive’s next steps concerning their projects in Africa?
We strongly believe in the business potential of Africa and the opportunities this region offers to our client base in the Netherlands, Belgium and the UK. Since 2006, we have executed projects in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Namibia. We are now selecting strong local business partner(s) that become member of our Larive Group Network. This will allow us to support locally with all the issues business encounter when entering East Africa.

5. How did you hear about the NABC?
Whilst working in Uganda, we were introduced to Ms. Blaak, the Ugandan ambassador. In our conversation we have spoken about many business opportunities in Eastern Africa. She mentioned the added value for Larive of becoming a member of NABC and suggested to have a chat with Bob van de Bijl. As Larive is now fully focusing on East-Africa we have decided, after the chat with Bob, to become a new member.

6. Why did you join the network?
Joining NABC has many reasons. First of all I like the entrepreneurial spirit of Bob and the NABC team. NABC breaths Africa and has build up a large network and knowledge of Africa which can be of great value to the members. Second of all NABC can help through their network and activities to expand our business activities. Larive has the philosophy that we can only fully assist companies in emerging markets where we have local support. As we are now also locally active in Uganda and Kenya, we can be a perfect partner in assisting NABC members to expand business in East-Africa and assist with for example feasibility studies, PSI projects, partners searches etc.

7. What are your expectations?
I have been to Africa on four business trips and really fallen in love with the continent. Next to finding cooperation possibilities with NABC and their members I would like to learn from the Africa experiences of other members.

8. What is your first impression of the NABC?
Active group of people with a very large network. A lot of (networking) activities are coming up so I’m looking forward to attending.

9. If you were asked to describe NABC in five words, what would these be?
Africa, Network, Business, Entrepreneurial, Opportunities.

  • As sales manager responsible for Africa, I was looking at finding opportunities to open markets in this vast continent, besides the few contacts we historically had.

    Van Beest B.V.-Joppe Schouten
  • The NABC Business Club held on the 17th of November was another great platform to meet friends and other Africa interested companies, for to exchange experiences over a drink and a good laugh.

    Bohler Welding Group- Ron de Bruijn
  • Berenschot is active in many countries in Africa. Our passion is to organise. At all times, in the most complex of environments.

    Berenschot- Fons de Zeeuw
  • I joined NABC last month and see the benefits of networking with other partners in Africa.

    Rolof Mulder, Director Hospitainer
  • "NABC=Efficiency I have been a member of NABC since December 2010. During my visit in Den Haag in August 2011 I took time to meet with the NABC team. I received a warm welcome and was taken in the meeting room where I had a meeting with the projec

    RESINAF-(Member company in DRC) - BENJAMIN MIRINDI
  • An excellent atmosphere at the NABC ambassadors dinner. A great way to improve contacts in specific markets and a worthwhile social event!

    STT - Jasper Grosskurth
  • As every year the Ambassadors Diner was THE place to be to meet many old friends and to make new friends on the international and professional level. The location and the quality of food was better then the prior events, the number of attendants is g

    Hilarius Haarlem Holland B.V. - Ron de Bruijn
  • The evening was very well organized with plenty of opportunity to meet and talk with other people. The venue was much better than last year and dinner was good too. I would say the whole event gets a 9 out of 10 from me.

    Martin de Koning
  • The Ambassadors Dinner seems to be a successful setup. In a short time it was possible to meet the representative Ambassadors of the various African countries and discuss the issues in an informal way. Next time we will participate again.

    De Lage Landen International B.V. - Carl van Zelderen
  • First of all i would like to thank NABC for the nice meeting you have arranged this morning at the Crownplaza Hotel with the delegation of Congolesse businessmen. I was at this meeting this morning in order to represent my company KLEYN TRUCKS

    Kleyn Trucks B.V. - Christian Sangwa
  • Worldwide food export has recently joined the NABC network. With activities on several continents, Africa was a logical next step in expanding our client base / network of local importers...

    Worldwide Food Export
  • Since we are a member of NABC, we often capitalize on their drive to share what they know and we connect with who they know. We are happy to be a part of this extensive and exclusive international network. It brings us access to places, people and...

    AOP Services
  • With a company name as DRC Projects, we felt obliged to participate in the NABC trade mission to the Democratic Republic Congo and the Republic of Congo. We have a long history of doing business in Africa and in the Congo’s in particular. The...

    DRC Projects
  • EQ Telecom is an international consultancy firm dedicated to serving telecommunications operators, service providers and regulatory authorities. We have focused our business to Southern African countries. Al though most of the African countries we...

    EQ Telecom
  • I only had a few days in Kinshasa but the people I was able to meet and the information I was able to gather all courtesy of NABC made it extremely worthwhile. The programme was very well organised, the appointments relevant but I also had the...

    Foundation Rural Energy Services
  • Heineken has established activities in Africa for many years now. We operate 36 breweries; 3 soft drink plants; 2 malting, 1 glass factory and 1 winery/distillery in 14 countries and in the majority of the other African countries we have a healthy...

    Heineken International
  • Being a member of NABC has inspired us largely in taking up challenges on this continent. Having already exports to some African countries, NABC helps us a lot in our expansions by their extensive network, the get-togethers and trade missions...

    Hilarius Haarlem Holland BV
  • I recently discovered that NABC has not only got their regular services, they also offer real individual attention on top of the professionalism and the friendliness of their staff. As my business is entirely focused on Africa it is, of course, of...

    Human Resources Boosters
  • NABC functions as the perfect bridge between the Dutch business community and its government on the one hand, and the African companies and governments on the other. As an entrepreneur, you can always call on NABC. If for instance you are engaged...

    ISA (Hendrix Genetics)
  • Poor service? Sulky contact persons? Lack of skill? NOT AT NABC! Kjaer Group is now a member for approximately one year and we are more than happy about the great support from NABC. It was also the first time that we decided to co-sponsor an event...

    Kjaer Group
  • The trade mission was exceptionally well prepared and the meetings were of a high standard and diverse. Representing different sectors, the delegation was well balanced and together created a natural atmosphere. This was to a large extent the...

    Philips Lighting South Africa
  • NABC is a professional organisation used by PTC+ to explore market opportunities in countries in Africa not yet entered. The NABC opens doors to contacts and networks otherwise difficult to access as a newcomer. NABC helps PTC+ to become familiar...

    PTC+ International
  • In February 2008, Rabobank organized a trade-orientating mission to Tanzania. For this mission the assistance and knowledge of the NABC was used. Due to the extensive knowledge of the local market and the business market of Tanzania, two most...

    Rabobank Nederland
  • The thought behind becoming a member of NABC was actually to develop our relationships with the various companies doing business to, in and from Africa. But in fact, it brought much more than only that. NABC gave us more insight on demands and...

    SDV Nederland BV
  • As Africa is our main market in the field of commercial vehicles, in NABC we have found the perfect network partner. Because of its widespread African network and the enthusiastic members, we visit the network sessions very often. Three months ago...

    Van Vliet Trucks Holland B.V.
  • Vopak has recently joined the Netherlands African Business Council (NABC). With a history of almost four centuries, Vopak is the global market leader for the independent storage and handling of liquid oil products, chemicals, vegetable oils and...

    Vopak
    
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