These exhibitions take place as part of a seminar of business delegations dedicated to security and defense, held from 13 to 16 March 2023, in Abidjan.
The Ivorian Senior Minister of Defense, Tene Birahima Ouattara, opened the seminar bringing together business delegations from both countries. He was joined by the Ivorian Interior and Security Minister, General Vagondo Diomande.
This platform of exchange should allow the various staffs of the armed forces of Cote d’Ivoire to express their operational needs and on the side of the French armament industry, to present their capabilities to
meet these demands.
“Our defense and security forces need modern, efficient equipment, but above all, they need it quickly,” Tene Birahima said, adding that Ivorian soldiers must be able through adequate training to maintain, repair and maintain these military materials at an operational level.
The French ambassador to Cote d’Ivoire, Jean-Christophe Belliard, said that 27 French companies, including start-ups, from the arms industry are present for this seminar of business delegations, while reassuring that his country remains “totally supportive of Cote d’Ivoire” to address security issues.
The seminar was organized by Bpifrance, the French public investment bank, whose mandate is to support companies under French law, from seed to listing on the stock exchange.
On February 20, 2023, the French Minister of the Armed Forces, Sebastien Lecornu, was in Abidjan as part of the military cooperation. He and Mr. Tene Birahima noted the need to strengthen the support of Paris in security and defense after the rise of the armed forces of Cote d’Ivoire.
Tene Birahima expressed hope that the discussions can lead to relevant offers, with flexibility of execution with regard to the budgetary context of the country, as well as permanent technical support and an efficient after-sales service.
In addition, he noted that “Cote d’Ivoire expects capacity building in terms of training and skills transfer, for a better use of the technologies of the French industry.
Out of 50 French companies in the military equipment and industry sector, 27 were selected to form the business delegation. These companies operate in the field of drones, anti-drone, mine clearance, communication equipment and missile systems, among others.
AP/fss/abj/APA