See more photos from this event online at clicked.gazette.net.

Kenneth Settle and his wife, Dana Powell-Settle, of K&D Distributing in Baltimore dream of selling their Crème Press and Curl Wave hair products on the African market.

Their first step toward realizing that dream comes in the form of advice from Stephen K. Morrison, commercial office for the U.S. Export Assistance Center, who tells them about ExporTech, an upcoming seminar that teaches businesses new to exporting how to prepare an export plan and could include a possible trade mission tie-in.

A discussion of trade opportunities in Ghana by Diane Jones, a former Department of Commerce senior commercial officer, later presses the promising potential for cosmetic business, as Jones jokes that Ghana women like to look good.

The Settles finish their day of research with a talk by Doug Barry, director of the Commerce Department's Trade Information Center, on designing Africa-friendly websites, attending center-sponsored trade shows and finding the perfect distribution partner through the center's services.

The couple's experience was just a taste of the resources available at the Africa Trade Opportunities conference Tuesday in Mitchellville, presented by the Prince George's County Africa Trade Office in Largo and state and federal officials.

Throughout the day, more than 100 businesspeople listened to economic analyses of several African nations, focusing on the trade opportunities and challenges of each; met with trade and finance representatives; and learned about President Barack Obama's National Export Initiative, whose goal is to double U.S. exports in five years.

In 2009, three of Maryland's top 25 export nations were in Africa, according to federal Census Bureau data: Egypt was the third-largest importer of Maryland products, at $478 million, followed by Nigeria at No. 20 with $114 million and South Africa, No. 24 with $98 million. The top importer of Maryland products was Canada, at $1.31 billion.

‘One of the 10 fastest-growing economies is Africa'

"Isn't this great?" asked Kwasi G. Holman, executive director of the Prince George's Economic Development Corp., as he surveyed the crowd of people who braved frigid temperatures and icy roads to attend. "When we say that Prince George's is the portal for Maryland trade with Africa, we're not just saying that."

Others agreed.

"This event not only gives individuals the opportunity to see what opportunities are available, but gives a glimpse of the processes to become an exporter," said Raymond T. Terry Sr., a board member with Warren Bennett & Associates, a commodity and medical supplies distributor in Upper Marlboro.

Terry participated in a discussion about Millennium Challenge Corp., a U.S. foreign aid agency that connects businesses with impoverished countries for economic development projects. The agency has issued more than $8.4 billion in contracts through its country partners. A representative told business leaders how to find contract opportunities on websites for FederalBizOpps and U.N. Development Business Online.

Government partnerships were an equally important part of the conference, with Africa Trade Office representatives offering to connect businesses with capability statements to an upcoming U.S. Trade and Development Agency reverse trade mission. The mission will bring Malawi officials to the area to discuss opportunities through Millennium Challenge Corp.

Patricia Hayes-Parker, director of the Africa Trade Office, noted the conference's emphasis on businesses to research and prepare an export plan so they know the costs involved.

"One of the 10 fastest-growing economies is Africa," said Aubrey Thagard, special assistant for economic development to County Executive Rushern L. Baker III (D). "The county executive sees economic development through international trade as a key area for growth."

Some at the conference have been involved in the African market for years, such as Tayo Akintoba of MetroSolarmatics in Baltimore.

"Information is always important," he said of the conference, adding that he was looking to do business in South Africa. MetroSolarmatics has done business in Kenya for 10 years.

Others, such as Global Trade & Development Consulting in Frederick, wanted to break into the market. Global Trade has partnered with Strategic Services International in Baltimore to establish an Ethiopian facility for renewable energy that includes a water-purification component. They were showcasing their plans at the event.

Joe Tchamdjou of Alternative Care Solutions in Gaithersburg came to gain insight on marketing his company's wholesale green cleaning products to Cameroon.

Henry Bell of Belle Vista International, a collection of international trade merchants for automobiles and consumer goods in Upper Marlboro, sought information about translating advertising goods for the African market.

"The biggest problem for U.S. exporters is they don't know how to choose the market," Barry said. His office can help with pre-vetting foreign distributors and helping businesses meet them in their native country, he said.

lrobbins@gazette.net