HomeMy WebLinkAboutM-80-05261
Joseph R. Grassie
City Manager
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Howard V. Gary
Assistant City2 Oqgie�
July 2, 1980
Progress Report on Proposed
African Trade Fair and for
Further Action
The following information is a summary of the activities the
Mayor, George Knox and I have been involved in with regard to
the African Trade Fair:
1. on February 1, 1980, we met with officials of the
U. S. State Department to explain our intention
for conducting a trade fair with African Nations
and to seek their support in our endeavors. They
were very supportive of our project and provided
us with useful information about the export and
import capabilities of various African Nations.
2. During our discussions with the U. S. Departments
of State and Commerce, we were informed that our
project may be in conflict with Congressman Rangel's
project to develop an African Trade Center in Harlem
and further federal support may be jeopardized as a
result. This issue was resolved at a meeting with
Congressman Rangel who assured us that our project
in no way conflicts with his project and that he
would convey this message to the State and Commerce
Departments (see attachment). During the course of
our discussions with Congressman Rangel, we agreed
to having a booth or display in our fair for the
Harlem African Trade Center, if their executive
board would desire.
3. The Mayor obtained endorsement of our proposed fair
from former Ambassador to the United Nations Andrew
Young, who has continuously been very instrumental
in improving Afro-American relations.
4. Three African Ambassadors, Ambassador Mutuale Kasango
of the Republic of Zaire, Ambassador Ousman Sallah of
the Gambia and Charge d'Affaires Henri Rutsimbazafy of
Madagascar, attended our Trade Fair of the Americas on
March 23 and 24, 1980. At a breakfast at the Mayor's
home, we discussed our plans with them for an African
Trade Fair in Miami. They were enthusiastic about the
idea and suggested some ideas as to how we could make
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01 Oft
Joseph R. Grassie
City Manager
the project a reality. One of the suggestions was that
we meet other African Ambassadors to formally present
our plans and seek their advice.
5. On April 15, 1980, we travelled to Washington, D. C.
with the Mayor to present our plans for a fair with most,
if not all, of the Sub -Saharan African Ambassadors or
their representatives. The idea of a fair in Miami was
generally well received. Additional information on our'
Latin Trade Fair was requested and has been submitted.
6. GeorQe Knox and I have made several contacts with firms
that have some experience in African Affairs to ascertain
their expertise as well as their interest in working with
the City in making the fair a reality. Additionally, we
spoke with the Executive Director of the Harlem Project
and received his encouragement.
Now that the preliminary steps for an African Trade Fair have been
completed, may I suggest the following course of action for the
development and implementation of such a fair:
1. Request City Commission approval to expend $100,000 to
obtain the services of two (2) consulting firms to
assist us in the planning and implementation of the fair
as well as other expenses associated with the development
of a fair. One of the firms would act as liaison between
the City and various African countries in terms of trying
to plan and promote the fair. This firm must be familiar
with African Affairs and African organizations and
officials whose support is necessary for the fair to
become a reality. The second firm would primarily be
responsible for the day-to-day planning, management,
logistics and execution of the trade fair. This firm
would also work in conjunction with the first firm in
the total planning and development aspects of the fair
to include budget projections and other related matters.
2. Prepare an application to the Department of Commerce
Economic Development Administration for financial support
of the fair similar to the support received for our Latin
Trade Fair.
3. Prepare an application to Dade County, Florida and the
State of Florida for financial support similar to the
support received for our Latin Trade Fair.
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Joseph R. Grassie
City Manager
4. Upon the selection of the consultant firms and the
completion of the applications to the various
governmental agencies, the City Commission will be
asked to review our progress and act on these matters.
Because we are attempting to make this fair a reality by December,
1981, time is of the essence; hence, it is suggested that this matter
be brought before the City Commission at its July 10, 1.980 Meeting.
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CHARLES B. RANCEL
1STN COMMIS ONAL OIeTRIOT
New YoRIt
NEW VORK STATE WHIP
COMMITTEES,
DEMOCRATIC STEERING AND
POLICY COMMITTEE
WAYS ANO MEANS
CHAIRMAN. SUBCOMMITTEE ON
HEALTH
SELECT COMMITTEE ON NARCOTICS
ABUSE AND CONTROL
ROSERT r. CARROLL.
CNIEI OF STAFF
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WASNINGINN. D.C. MIS
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Mr. Howard V . Gary
Assistant City ,tanager
The City of Miami
3500 Pan American Drive
Miami, Florida 33133
Dear Howard:
Waljington, J.C. 20315
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June 13, 1930
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New YORK. New YORK 10015
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It was good to see you last week in Washington and to learn that you
are making progress with your African Trade Conference. Previous dis-
cussions with you and George Knox and the briefing you provided me on
Tuesday night suggest that you are philosophically and practically on tar-
get.
Let me reassure you that your concern regarding possible conflict be-
tween your African Trade Conference and our Harlem International Trade
Center is without basis. Simply, there is no conflict. To the contrary,
I can see a very useful, mutually beneficial relationship, which I shall
look forward to discussing when you are further along in your planning.
It is a wise move for Miami to consider a trade relationship with
African countries. Your relatively close proximity to the African continent
should provide, at least, a natural stimulant to trade interest. Over the
past ten years, we have seen a significant increase in African countries
seeking to establish and/or expand trade relationships in America. The same
is true for American cities, states and companies. Los Angeles, Newark,
Detroit, New Orleans and Ne%q York have sent trade delegations to Africa in
recent years. If you will recall, Andy Young, in his last official public
act as United Nations Ambassador, headed a national trade delegation to
Africa. They visited nine countries. According to Andy, they walked away
with "millions of dollars in contracts".
In arriving at an appropriate rationale for a Mi:uni African Trade Con-
ference, expressed in clear, politically acceptable language, you should be
certain to include a reference to export as well as import objectives. Par-
ticipation by the Federal Government will be greatly enhanced if it is shown
that your Conference will help address problans related to the balance of
trade.
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Mr. Howard V. Gary
June 13, 1980
Page Two
With respect to your request that I serve on an advisory committee re-
lated to the conference, please be assured that I will gladly do so. I
only ask that you notify and provide me with materials well in advance
of meetings to accommodate my New York and Washington commitments.
With warm regards, I am
Sincerely,
ROB T F. CARROLL
Chief of Staff
RFC:j
cc: Dewey Knight, Assistant County Manager
Dade metro Government
Commissioner George Dalley
Civil Aeronautics Board
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1 ASSISTANT SECRETARY 0F3VrA1E;I' �� f.� U
WASHINGTON, OC 205t0
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May 16, 1980
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Dear Ma erre:
We have had several conversationsuover the last
few months with respect to your plans -to organize and
host an African Trade Fair in Miami in:1981. I want
you to know for the record that I heaftily endorse
your idea and assure you of the fullewt3 support and
cooperation from the Bureau of African Affairs as well
as from our Foreign Service posts in Africa. We are
al- ready and willing to assist you irC='every way
possible. .-
,:1.
I am personally interested in seeing an expansion
of our trade and investment links witK'Africa. Such
an expansion would benefit the United States and Africa.
More importantly, it would help place our economic re-
kf tionships with Africa on a more mature basis and would
underscore the importance of Africa to the United States,
economically and p,.�litically. African leaders have long
been interested it attracting a larger -American business
presence to their countries. Your Trade'Fair could very
well be an important vehicle toward making that interest
a reality.
Again, I emphasize my support for the concept of
your Trade Fair and reiterate our off;df-of assistance.,
and support.
With best regards,
.4ifkaaze ly;
� s'
Rich rd M, VZose
The Honorable
Maurice Ferre,
Mayor of Miami,
City Hall,
Miami, Florida.
w"7 80-526
^ A OY lrcad� tic Fit,6
BOARD OF DIRECTORS ��. J �•0' S
THE HONORABLE
1*010 GORDON HATCHER
OMI��M
HARRY BELAFONTE
REV. lux BIVENS
BISHOP HARTFORD BROOKINS
HALTER CARRINGTON, ESQ.
COURTLAND COX
ME HONORABLE ROBERT FARRELL
OR. CARLTON GOODLETT June 4, 1980 `
DOROTHY HEIGHT
EUGENE JACKSON
OR. MALLARD JOHNSON
CNUUMUUCC ILSY Mr. Howard V. Gary
LOUIS MARTIN Assistant City Manager
TILE HONORABLE ►ARREN MITCHELL City of Miami
REV. RANDOBERT C.S.1 NOGENT
LL 3500 Pan American Drive
' REV. ROB[RT C.POWEII
FRANK SAVAGE Miami, Florida 33133
MARC STEPP
THE HONORABLE PERCY SUTTON
OR. LAMES TURNER
OR. RON WALTERS
RANDALL ROBINSON Dear Mr. Gary:
1XICUTIV( 014100K
Thanks for your letter of April 23. In response to your
request, I4d be glad to serve in any way that I can.
Please give my regards to the mayor and George Knox.
Sincerely yours,
. �Utiry�
all ARonson
Executive Director
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I 1325 18th Street, N.W.—Suite 202 a Washington, D.C. 20036 • (202)223-9668
0
April 23, 1980
Mr. Randall Robinson
Executive Director.
Trans Africa
1325 18th Street, N. W.
Suite 202
Washington, D. C. 20036
Dear Randall:
Sorry I missed you during my last visit to Washington, D. C.
I heard you had just returned from your visit to the continent
of Africa celebrating the independence of Zimbabwe and the
inauguration of its new Prime Minister; and you were very busy
trying to catch up on your huge backlog.
I had the -pleasure of meeting your charming wife, Brenda, at
Howard University's School of African Studies. In a joking manner,
I tried to impose on her to get an appointment with you if I agreed
to do her administrative work at the Center.
I was happy to hear that Bob Cummings was able to reach you later
in the day and that you felt you could endorse the City of Miami's
proposed African Trade Fair. I think I know some of your feelings
about the types of relationships the United States should and should
not have with African Nations, particularly as it relates to
business ventures. I can assure you that the City of Miami views
the African Trade Fair as one of mutual benefit to African Nations
as well as the United States. We feel we have an opportunity to
tell the nations of Africa that, even though as a small beginning,
the private sector in the United States is willing to buy African
goods other than oil, minerals and raw materials.
Because of your extensive experience in African Affairs, your
guidance and assistance to us, as we proceed to make this fair a
reality, will be greatly appreciated. We plan to establish an
advisory board for our African Trade Fair and we would be honored
to have you as a member.
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Mr. Randall Robinson
Trans Africa
To bring you up-to-date on our activities, on April 15, 1980, we
had the pleasure of discussing our proposed trade fair with various
African Ambassadors and their representatives. This meeting was
arranged by Ambassador Ahoua of the Ivory Coast. The idea of a fair
in Miami was generally well received. A number of logistical
questions were raised and additional information on our Latin Trade
Fair was requested. We plan to respond to these inquiries in the
very near future.
Our initial discussion of an African Trade Fair with officials of
the Commerce Department revealed that our proposed fair may be in
conflict with Congressman Rangel's African Trade Center in Harlem.
Our impression was that they would not proceed with further discus-
sion of our fair until we resolved this issue with Congressman Rangel.
On Tuesday, April 22, 1980, Bob Cummings and I met with Congressman
Rangel, whom we found to be very hospitable and encouraging. He
assured us that our proposed fair would in no way conflict with his
center. He agreed that our project could benefit his project and
that he would convey his feelings to the Department of Commerce. We
ended the meeting with us agreeing to share information on the pro-
gress of our ventures.
Our next step is to seek approval from the City of Miami Commission
to proceed further. Once this is completed, we will obtain the
services of a consultant firm to assist us in the planning, programming
and implementation aspects of our fair. Your assistance in this
endeavor will also be appreciated.
Again, thank you for your support and I will keep you informed of
our progress.
cc: Mayor Maurice A. Fer.re
Mr. George A. Dalley
Mr. George Knox
Dr. Robert Cummings
Sincer ly
Howard V. Ga
Assistant City Manager
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