During this year’s annual Feel at Home in The Hague – The International Community Fair 2010, AfroEuro Foundation, African Diaspora Fund for Development (ADFD), Meleya and The African Bulletin magazine have formed the African Enterprise Island which aims at enhancing African-European Business Partnerships and fostering collaborative relationships. Embassies, Dutch and African entrepreneurs will be present to showcase their products, services and projects. In addition, the renowned African bag designer Omar Munie will give away one of his unique handbags to support this initiative.

The African Enterprise Island at the fair is geared towards highlighting investment opportunities in Africa. Participation in this year’s event aims to create an avenue whereby African migrant entrepreneurs and Dutch firms will forge a way of impacting economic growth in Africa. African migrant enterprises, embassies and non-profits are also offered the opportunity to showcase their goods, projects and services. Moreover, the group is aimed at bringing together potential multinational investment companies, financial institutions, skilled and talented African migrants and European management consultants, accountants and researchers with whom opportunities and strategies have been discussed that will help to strengthen trade and development through Diaspora interventions. To this end, various workshops which are centered on Investment and Internationalisation, Sourcing Investment Finance and Business Opportunities in Africa and Funds Raising have been planned. The organisation also anticipates that the Fair creates opportunities of ‘speed-dating’ for investors, entrepreneurs and representatives of diplomatic missions.

Be at the African Enterprise Island and enter the RAFFLE! You could win one of 3 prizes:

First prize: 2 air tickets to Africa from Afriqiah Airways 

Second prize: Omar Munie Bag

Third prize: Meleya Coffee Set

The raffle winners will be announced at 16:55 on the Podium iat the Fair. The income generated by the raffle will support two projects: one in Ghana empowering women and one in Ethiopia, a young women entrepreneurship program!

The African Enterprise Island is sponsored by Afriqiyah Airways, Omar Munie and Meleya.

Afriqiyah Airways is an airline linking the African countries directly with one another, without travellers having to endure long connecting flights from Africa to Europe and then back to Africa again. The Afriqiyah Airways modern all Airbus fleet have played a key role in the development of Libyan and African aviation, and as a member of the International Air Transport Association, comply with all international standards relating to safety, maintenance and operations. The onboard entertainment comes in a choice of choice of Arabic, English or French, and includes individual touch screens, video and audio channels, electronic games and a route map and details of the flight-progress as well as a camera giving guests a “pilots eye view “of take-off and landing. Regular flights from Amsterdam to several destinations in Africa and South Africa make Afriqiyah Airways the logical choice for comfortable and affordable travel to Africa. Visit www.afriqiyqh.aero today!

For further information about AfroEuro Foundations participation in this event, please contact Vincent Gambrah from Afroeuro on 0618126917, or Debritu Lusteau from Meleya on 0653376381 or visit www.afroeuro.org.

Omar Munie

Handbag designer Omar Munie will be present on the African Enterprise Island to contribute to the Africa Europe Enterprise initiative. In this way he will support initiatives in Africa.

Omar Munie came to the Netherlands at the age of nine, as a refugee from Somalia. He wanted to start a new life here. During his studies in Fashion Design, Munie developed his talents after school by taking courses and working at his own collections. While still in school, he started his own company, Omar Munie Clothing.

Nowadays his bags are worn by celebrities such as Hillary Clinton, Jane Fonda and Yfke Sturm. Muni won the prize ‘Best entrepreneur under the age of 25’.

Omar Munie bags are made of the finest cow and lamb leather from Italy, and fabric from the French region of Provence, which is specially designed for Omar Munie. The special attention to detail, such as the colorful lining, contrasting piping and labels with peaceful slogans, make Omar Munie bags truly original. All bags and accessories are produced in the atelier in The Hague.

High segment shops like Meddens or Maison the Bonneterie sell Omar Munie products, but bags are also sold in Paris, Dubai, and Lech. November 2010 sees the opening of the first flagship store, The Omar Munie Dream, at the Coolsingel in Rotterdam. This ambitious project aims to become recognised internationally.

Besides selling bags, Munie also gives workshops where clients can design their own bag. The clinic offers a fun and affordable way to design one’s own bag, and within just 2-3 weeks, clients have produced a ready-to-wear handbag. Workshops cost € 295.

Omar Munie was chosen to be an MBO Marshal, carrying out vocational training throughout the country motivating students to finish their education and work for their dreams.

Feel at Home in The Hague - The International Community Fair 2010

Feel at Home in The Hague – The International Community Fair 2010 takes place on 19 September 2010 from 11:00 - 17:00 in the atrium of the City hall in The Hague.

The annually anticipated event is organised by TheHagueOnLine.com and is intended as an information portal for expats and internationals residing in and around The Hague to discover all there is to do in their free time. The fair aims to introduce the various organisations, services and events suitable for the international community of The Hague region to visitors looking to get the most out of their time in The Hague. Find out all there is to know about housing, education, the upcoming cultural season, sports and social clubs and a host of other information a newcomer to this city needs to know.

Representatives from around 200 organisations will be present to provide invaluable information regarding services, clubs and events suitable for the International community in The Hague region.

Doors open at 11:00, and tickets can be purchased upon arrival for € 5 each. Children under 18 may enter free of charge when accompanied by an adult.

Feel at Home in The Hague – The International Community Fair 2010 is proudly sponsored by the Municipality of The Hague, ABN-AMRO, Worldwide Broker, The Guest Card and Shell.

For more information about this event visit www.FeelatHomeinTheHague.com.

Discover the The African Enterprise Island and the dedicated work of all its participants at Feel at Home in The Hague – The International Community Fair 2010!

If you wish to comment or express an opinion about this article please e-mail the editor@TheHagueOnLine.com