NABC
Datum: 20-04-2010
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Een interview met Davinia Lamme, Associate bij Larive International

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
 

Laatste wijziging: 19-08-2010 at 15:15